Glass 

Book 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



THE 

MISSION BOOK: 



A MANUAL OP 



INSTRUCTIONS AND PRAYERS. 



ADAPTED TO PEESERVE 



%\t fruits jorf \\t ipmim. 



DKAWN CHIEFLY 



FEOM THE WORKS OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUOKI. 



PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE 



FATHERS OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE 
MOST HOLY REDEEMER. 



NEW YORK: 
EDWARD DUNIGAN & BROTHER, 

151 FULTON-STREET, NEAR BROADWAY. 
1854. 



\ 



Entered according to Act of 'Congress, in the year 1854, by 

THE REV. I. THOMAS HECKEE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
Southern District of New York, 



T/o "Mission Book" has received the commenda- 
. c of many distinguished Prelates in Europe, as a 
k eminently fitted for the instruction of the 
Jul, and the promotion of solid piety. We 
sr fully permit its publication. 

* JOHK, 

AECHBISHOP OF NEW YORK. 
Netv York, September 8th, 1853. 



PREFACE. 



Dear Christian Reader,— The Congregation 
of the Most Holy Redeemer are unwilling to de- 
lay any longer the publication in English of this 
little manual of instruction and devotion. Al- 
though now entirely remodelled, and enriched with 
much additional matter, it is substantially the 
same book which, in other countries, particularly 
in Austria, Bohemia, Belgium, Holland, and France, 
has been already so greatly blessed. It contains 
all the most necessary and general devotions : 
namely, Morning and Night Prayers, Prayers for 
Holy Mass, for Vespers and the Benediction of the 
Blessed Sacrament, and also very excellent prayers 
for Confession and Communion. It contains also 
all the particular devotions in most common use 
among Catholics, and other very useful and ani- 
mating devotions, such as the Visits to the Most 
Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, and to the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. Besides these, it contains wholesome 



4 



PREFACE. 



reflections for daily or frequent Meditation, which 
will prove a powerful means to maintain you in the 
fear of mortal sin, the desire of a holy life, and 
the practice of virtue. 

In this little book you will find also a short 
Catechism, by way of questions and answers, which 
contains all those great truths of your religion 
which it is most necessary for your salvation to 
know, and by means of which you will be able to 
instruct your children and your domestics in the 
same necessary doctrines. Here also are contained 
very plain and ample instructions on every part of 
the Sacrament of Penance, like those you heard in 
the Mission, and moreover a little treatise on Gen- 
eral Confession, with a full and exact Examination 
of Conscience. 

But, after all, dear Christian, of what use to you 
will the Mission be, and all the seimons and in- 
structions you heard, and even that good confession 
which you then made so earnestly and carefully, if, 
by falling back again into your former sins, you 
expose yourself anew to everlasting damnation ? It 
is not enough, therefore, to return to God by sincere 
penance, but you must also endeavor for the future 
to continue in this happy state, and to practice a 
holy life. In this respect, again, the Mission Book 



PREFACE. 5 

will prove to be of great value to you. It will serve 
as your guide to a truly devout and Christian life, 
for besides the rules it gives for passing every day 
in a holy manner, it contains the best and most 
necessary instructions on the Duties of Particular 
States of life, so that you may know how to order 
your whole life in such a way as to secure the sal- 
vation of your soul, as well as the souls of those 
who may be intrusted to your care. 

In case of your being taken ill, there is also a 
Manual for the Sick, which you can make use of 
with great profit, and where you may learn to 
assist others in their sickness. 

And lastly, you will find herein most interesting 
and instructive lessons for Spiritual Reading, calcu- 
lated to preserve in your mind the holy impressions 
which you received during the Mission, and to 
fortify the good resolutions you made. A few 
beautiful hymns are added, which you may sing in 
your leisure moments when alone, or with the rest 
of your family at home, in the evenings, or on 
Sundays. 

Use, then, this little book diligently, for the 
sake of your eternal salvation. Use it also for the 
good of those who may be intrusted to your care, 
that you may rescue them also from the general 
1* 



6 PREFACE. 

ruin. Many a soul, by such a little book, has been 
turned from the path of destruction, and brought 
back penitent to God ; and many, too, have been 
preserved by it in the right way. And this will be 
the case with you also, dear Christian, if you are 
well disposed, and read this little book with a right 
heart. 



USEFUL TABLES. 



ItQtxvah of ©bltgatum. 

The Movable Feasts are : 

Easter Sunday, Whit-Sunday, and all Sundays 
in the year. The Ascension and Corpus Christi. 

The Immovable Feasts are : 

Jan. 1. The Circumcision. 
Jan. 6. The Epiphany. 
Mar. 25. The Annunciation. 
Aug. 15. The Assumption. 
Nov. 1. All-Saints. 
Dec. 25. Christmas. 

N. B. — In the dioceses of New Orleans, St. Louis, Mo- 
bile, Vincennes, Dubuque, Little Rock, and Chicago, the 
Circumcision, Epiphany, Annunciation, and Corpus 
Christi are not festivals of obligation. 

Wa%8 of Jasting. 

1. The Fridays in Advent. 

2. Every day in Lent, Sundays excepted. 

3. The Ember-days, which occur four times in 
the year ; viz., the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Satur- 
days, — immediately after the First Sunday in Lent, — 



8 



USEFUL TABLES. 



in Whitsun-week, — immediately after the 14th of 
September, — immediately after the Third Sunday 
of Advent. 

4. The Vigils of certain Feasts ; viz., of Whit- 
Sunday, of the Assumption, of All-Saints, and of 
Christmas. 

K B. — When a fasting-day falls upon a Sunday, it is 
kept on the Saturday before. To fast consists in abstain- 
ing from flesh-meat, and eating only one full meal in the 
day, which must not be before noon. Besides this, a col- 
lation or light refreshment is allowed in the evening. All 
who have completed their twenty-first year are obliged 
to observe the fasts of the Church until the age of sixty, 
unless exempted for some legitimate cause. 

In the above mentioned dioceses of New Orleans, St. 
Louis, &c, <fec, the Friday of the Ember-days is the only 
Friday in Advent on which there is an obligation to fast. 



$aj}0 of Abstinence. 

1. The Sundays in Lent. 

2. All Fridays, except when Christmas falls 
upon a Friday. 

3. All Saturdays, except those Saturdays which 
fall between the 25th of December and the 2d of 
February inclusively. Dispensation, however, to eat 
flesh-meat on all Saturdays "not restricted by a 
fast," was granted by his Holiness Pope Gregory 
XVI. to the faithful of the United States for the 
space of twenty years from 1840. 

N. B. — A day of abstinence is that on which we are not 
allowed to eat flesh-meat. All who have attained to the 
age of reason are obliged to observe these days. 



USEFUL TABLES. 



9 



®f)£ ©rimtarg ^ra^ara. 

The Prayers, &c., of most necessary and common 
use will be found as follows : 

PAOZ. 

The Lord's Prayer, 15 

The Hail Mary, 16 

The Apostles' Creed, . . . . . . . . 16 

The Ten Commandments, 280 

The Precepts of the Church, . . . . 285 
The Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, . 17, 18 

The Confiteor, 32 

The Act of Contrition (for Confession), . .292 

The Angelus, 19 

How to Baptize in case of Necessity, . .288 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS, 



|)rager0 for Pailg WtDotum. 



HOW TO PRAY. 

" Before prayer prepare thy soul, and be not as a 
man that tempteth God. 11 Eccli. xviii. 23. 

Prayer is the lifting up of the mind and heart to 
God, and constitutes one of the first duties of a true 
Christian. There are two different kinds of prayer, 
namely, mental and vocal. 

Mental Prayer, or Meditation, is when we pray 
silently in our hearts, without using any set form of 
words, or speaking with the voice. 

Vocal Prayer is that which is uttered by the 
voice, and commonly is made according to some 
form ; in other words, it is to say, or recite prayers. 

To make our prayers good and pleasing in the 
sight of God, they must be offered : 

1. With a pure heart, or at least a sincere desire 
to obtain a pure heart through penance. " The 
Lord is" far from the wicked : and he will hear the 
prayers of th* just." Prov. xv. 29. 

2. A lively faith. We ought to have a firm and 
childlike trust in God, that he will grant our prayers, 



12 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



if what we ask is really for the good of our souls. 
" Let him ask of God, but let him ask in faith, noth- 
ing wavering^ for he that waver eth is like a wave of 
the sea that is moved and carried about by the wind. 
Therefore* let not that man think that he shall receive 
any thing of the Lord" St. James, i. 5. 

3. Profound humility. " He hath had regard to 
the 'prayer of the humble, and he hath not despised 
their petition" Psal. ci. 18. 

4. Earnest attention. " / cried with my whole 
heart, hear me, Lord!" Ps. cxviii. 145. 

5. Unwearied patience. We must not leave off 
praying, even if our prayer is not heard at once. 
" The continual prayer of a just man availeth much" 
St. James, v. 16. 



MORNING DEVOTIONS. 

" The wise man will give his heart to resort early 
to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the 
sight of the Most High : he will open his mouth in 
prayer,- and make supplication for his sins" Eccli. 
xxxix. 6, 7. 

If you would spend a holy day, dear Christian, 
you must begin it in a holy way. 

As soon therefore as you awake, and it is time to 
get up, raise your thoughts immediately to God, 
make the holy sign of the cross, dress quickly, fall 
upon your knees, and begin to pray. 

I. Thank God that he has again permitted you to 
see another day, and guarded you against every evil 
during the night. 



DAILY PRAYERS. 



13 



II. Ask him with childlike confidence to keep 
you during the day from sin, and every other evil. 

III. Offer to him all your thoughts, words, and 
actions of the day, uniting them to the sufferings 
and death of Jesus Christ. 

IV. Make a firm resolution to commit no sin 
during the whole day. Be on guard especially 
against your most frequent and besetting sin. Con- 
sider well all the dangers and occasions of siu, which 
you are likely to meet with, and reflect upon the 
means by which you may escape from them. Make 
a firm resolution to resist manfully every temptation 
which may fall in your way, and ask of God the 
necessary grace to do so. 

All this can be done inwardly in your own heart, 
without any sound of your voice, or motion of your 
lips ; but if you find it easier to recite vocal prayers, 
you can make use of the following form. 



MOENING PEAYEE. 

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Hoiy Ghost. Amen. 

THANKS GIVING. 

OMY God ! I adore thee, and I love thee 
with my whole heart. I thank thee for 
all the benefits which thou hast granted me, 
and especially for having protected me so 
mercifully this night. 

2 



14 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS 



PRAYER FOR NECESSARY GRACE. 

OMY Jesus ! bear me in thy hands this 
day. Mary, holy Virgin ! may I find 
shelter under thy protecting mantle. And 
do thou, O heavenly Father ! help me for 
the love of Jesus and of Mary. My Guar- 
dian Angel, and all my patron Saints, help 
me by your holy prayers. 

GOOD INTENTION. 

TO thee, my God, I offer all that I shall 
do, all that I may suffer during the day 
which is now begun. I unite all my actions 
and sufferings to the sufferings of Jesus and 
Mary, and I make the intention now to gain 
all the indulgences to which I may be en- 
titled for any good works of mine this day. 

RESOLUTION. 

MY God ! I firmly resolve to fly from sin, 
and I implore thee for Jesus' sake to 
grant me the grace of perseverance. And 
especially I am resolved that in every trial, 
taking refuge in thy holy will, the prayer 
of my heart shall be, " O Lord ! thy will be 
done !" 

Here set before your mind the labors, and other 
occupations in which you are likely to be engaged 
throughout the day. Consider well how you can 
order all your affairs for the honor of God, and 



DAILY PKAYERS. 



15 



the good of your neighbor. Call to mind your 
usual faults, also the dangers and the occasions of 
sin to which you will be exposed, and make the firm 
resolution to guard yourself carefully against these 
temptations and occasions ; and especially against 
that one which you know to be the greatest and most 
dangerous of all. Say then, with a sincere heart : 

OMY God ! I am resolved to avoid this 
sin of above all others, and with 

the greatest care, and to be on my guard 
against this dangerous occasion . 

Then recommend yourself to the intercession of 
Mary, to all the Saints, and to your holy Guardian 
Angel. 

OMOST Holy Mary, Mother of God! 
and all ye blessed Saints of Paradise, 
pray to God for me, that I may not offend 
him to-day by any sin. And thou Holy 
Angel, who art given to me by God for my 
Guardian, keep me this day from falling into 
any deliberate sin. 

Then recite with the greatest possible devotion and 
attention the following prayers : 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

/~\UR Father who art in heaven ! hal- 
\J lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 
come : thy will be done on earth, as it is in 
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread : 
and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive 



16 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



them tbat trespass against us. And lead us 
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
Amen. 

HAIL MARY. 

HAIL Mary, full of grace ! The Lord is 
with thee. Blessed art thou amongst 
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, 
Jesus. . Holy Mary, Mother of God! pray 
for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our 
death. Amen. 

THE CREED. 

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, 
Creator of heaven and earth ; and in Jesus 
Christ his only Son our Lord, who was con- 
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of - the Vir- 
gin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was 
crucified, dead and buried. He descended 
into hell : the third day he arose from the 
dead : he ascended into heaven, and sitteth 
at the right hand of God, the Father Al- 
mighty ; from thence he* shall come to judge 
the living and the dead. I believe in the 
Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the 
communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, 
the resurrection of the body, and the life 
everlasting. Amen. 

Afterwards recite three Iiail Marys more, in 
honor of the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
"Hail, Mary!" &c. 



DAILY PEAYEKS. 



17 



Then make the following Acts of Faith, Hope, and 
Charity, which should be done also before you go to 
sleep at night. 

ACT OF FAITH.* 

OMT God ! thou who art infallible 
Truth ! I believe every thing which the 
Holy Church commands me to believe, be- 
cause thou hast revealed it to her. I believe 
that thou art the Creator of heaven and earth, 
that thou dost reward the just in Paradise, 
and punish the wicked eternally in Hell. I 
believe that thou art one divine Essence in 
three Persons, namely : the Father, the Son, 
and the Holy Ghost. I believe the incarna- 
tion, and the death of Jesus Christ. In a 
word, I believe all that the Holy Church 
believes. I thank thee for having made me 
a Christian and a Catholic, and I protest 
that I will live and die in this holy faith. 

ACT OF HOPE. 

OMY God ! I confide in thy promises, 
because thou art faithful, powerful, and 
merciful, and hope through the merits of 
Jesus Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final 
perseverance, and the everlasting glory of 
Paradise. 

* According to a concession of Pope Benedict XIV., 
granted in December, 1754, an indulgence of seven years 
and seven quarantains (280 days) may be gained by de- 
voutly repeating these acts. If recited daily for a month, 
with confession and communion made in the course of the 
same month, a plenary indulgence is gained. 



18 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



ACT OF CHARITY. 

OMY God ! I love thee with all my 
heart, and above all things, because 
thou art infinitely good, and worthy of infi- 
nite love, and for love of thee 1 love my 
neighbor as myself. I am heartily sorry for 
all my sins, because by them I have offended 
thee/ I detest them above all things ; and I 
am firmly resolved, by the help of thy holy 
grace which I beseech thee to grant me now 
and always, rather to die than offend thee 
any more. I purpose also to receive the holy 
Sacraments during my life, and in the hour 
of my death. Amen. 

N. B. — It is a most profitable exercise for those 
whose ivay of life allows of it, to make at least a 
quarter of an hour's meditation after their morning 
prayers. For this purpose you can make use of any 
approved book of Meditation or pious reading, as for 
example one of those devout little works composed by 
St. Alphonsus Liguori, " The Way of Salvation" 
" The Clock of the Passion" " Preparation for 
Death" &c, dx., or read a chapter from the celebra- 
ted ki Following of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis. 
In case you have none of these books, endeavor to re- 
fleet upon something you remember of the passion of 
Christ, something which shows how much he suffered 
for sinners, and hoiu much he loved them ; apply it 
to yourself, and try to find sorie good lesson, or some 
holy resolution to put in practice. 



19 



HOW TO PASS THE DAY IN A HOLY 
MANNER. 



i. 

Wherever you go, whatever you do, be always like 
one who walks in the presence of God. Remember 
that he is present everywhere, that his eye follows 
you everywhere, and that he knows your most secret 
thoughts. 

ii. 

Begin every thing you undertake with a good in- 
tention, and keep in mind the words of the Apostle : 
" Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, 
do all for the glory of God? — 1 Cor. x. 31. 

AT WORK. 

Before you begin your work, say, " All for thee, 
Lord — my Jesus, all for thee I" 

IN TEMPTATION. 

When you are tempted to anger, say, " my 
Jesus, give me patience ! Bless me, Mary m}' 
Mother!" 

If wicked thoughts come in your mind, say quick 
ly — " Jesus and Mary, help me !" Repeat the Hail 
Mary or some other prayer until you have banished 
them. 

AT THE ANGELUS. 

When the bell rings for the " Angelus," at mom 
ing, noon, and evening, remember how the Son 



20 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



of God became man in the womb of Mary, and say 
as follows : 

The Angel of the Lord declared nnto Mary, 
And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. 

Hail, Mary, &c. 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord. 

May it be done unto me according to thy word. 

Hail, Mary, &c. 

And the Word was made flesh, 
And dwelt among us. 

Hail, Mary, &c. 
Prayer. 

POUE forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, 
thy grace into our hearts, that we, to 
whom the incarnation of Christ thy Son was 
known by the message of an angel, may, by 
his passion and cross, be brought to the glory 
of his resurrection, through the same Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

{Whoever says the Angelus daily at the sound of 
the bell, for a whole month, and in the course of the 
same month goes to confession and communion, gains 
a plenary indulgence. Benedict XHI.) 

BEFORE MEALS. 

Before meals, say — " Bless us, O Lord, and 
these thy gifts which we are about to re- 



DAILY PRAYERS. 



21 



ceive from thy bounty, through Christ our 
Lord. Amen." 

AFTER MEALS. 

After meals, say — ""We give thee thanks. 
Almighty God, for all thy benefits, who livest 
and reignest world without end. Amen. 

" May the souls of the faithful departed 
rest in peace ! Amen." 



EVENING DEVOTIONS. 

M Lord, stay with us, because it is toioards 
evening, and the day is now far spent." — St. Luke, 
xxiv. 29. 



Hating begun the day well by prayer, let prayer 
also sanctify the close. Remember that you are now 
one day nearer to eternity. Who knows if God will 
not call your soul this very night before his judg- 
ment seat ? 

It is a most excellent practice in a Christian family 
to make the evening prayers in common, for they 
bring a great blessing upon the house. " Where two 
or three are gathered together in my name," says 
Jesus Christ, " there I will be in the midst of them." 
Ought not so kind a promise from our Lord to make 
us love to pray together ? 

The evening devotions should consist, at least, of 
the following parts : 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



1st. Thank God for all the mercies he has shown 
you during the day past. 

2d. Pray the Holy Ghost to enlighten you, that 
you may see and be sorry for the sins which you 
have committed during the day, and that you may 
do better for the future. 

3d. Examine your conscience diligently. Con- 
sider how you have passed the time from morning 
until evening : in what you have done wrong : what 
has been the nature of your thoughts, words, and 
actions : examine especially how you have put in 
practice the good resolution which you made in the 
morning. 

4th. Excite in your heart a true sorrow for your 
sins, and for your neglect (if any) in keeping the 
good resolution you made. 

5th. Make once more a firm resolution to amend 
your life, and ask God to give you his grace that 
you may do so. And do all this, as if the last night 
of your life had come. 



NIGHT PRAYERS. 
In the name of the Father, &c. Amen. 

THANKSGIVING. 

OGEE AT and Almighty God! I kneel 
before thee, to thank thee with my whole 
heart for all the favors which thou hast be- 
stowed upon me this day ; for my food and 
drink, my health, and all my powers of body 
and soul. I thank thee for all thy holy lights 



DAILY PRAYERS. 



23 



and inspirations, for thy care and protection, 
and for all those other mercies which I do not 
think of now, or which I do not know how to 
value as I ought. I thank thee for them all, 
O heavenly Father, through J esus Christ thy 



Son, our Lord 



PRAYER FOR LIGHT. 



O ALL- WISE and all-seeing God ; thou 
who dost always look upon my actions, 
and count all my steps, from whom no 
thought is hid, enlighten my understanding 
that I may clearly see what evil I have done 
this day, and what good I have left undone : 
move my heart that I may sincerely repent 
and amend. 

Ask yourself then seriously and carefully the fol- 
lowing questions, by way of an 

EXAMINATION OP CONSCIENCE. 

Have I not sinned this day — 

In thought ? By willingly entertaining some un- 
chaste, uncharitable, 01 covetous thoughts ? 

In word t By using immodest language, — utter- 
ing oaths — curses — lies — passionate, slanderous, pro- 
fane, or irreverent words ? Have I given scandal so ? 

In action f By being idle ? — slow and impatient 
about my work ? Have I not been in evil or dan- 
gerous company? Done any immodest action? 
Been too free in my manners ? Been rude, cross, 
or disobedient towards my parents or superiors ? 
Been unkind, insolent, malicious, cruel, or unjust to- 



24 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



wards my neighbor ? Have I given any bad exam- 
ple to my children, my servants, my neighbors ? 

By omission. Have I refused or neglected to do 
any act of charity ? Been watchful over my chil- 
dren, and others depending upon me, and careful for 
their salvation ? Have I omitted my prayers, my 
penance, or some other duty ? 

Finally , examine whether you have kept the reso- 
lution you made in the morning. If not, consider 
well what was the cause of your fall, and seek out 
the means to preserve you from falling in future. 
For be assured, that your whole Christian perfec- 
tion depends upon this diligent examination of con- 
science. 

Having finished this examination, say with all 
your heart the following 

CONTRITE PRAYER. 

OFATHEK, infinitely good and merci- 
ful ! I have offended thee again to day. 
Is this the thanks I owe thee for so many 
and so great favors ? Alas ! I confess my 
guilt. I am not worthy to be called thy 
child. But still, O Heavenly Father, thou 
art infinitely good and merciful : therefore 
I return to thee with confidence, and on my 
knees, and in sorrow, I pray thee to pardon 
all my sins which I have committed this 
day, and all the sins of my whole life. 
From the bottom of my heart I repent, and 
am sorry for them, not only because I have 
deserved punishment, but because through 



DAILY PRAYERS. 



25 



them, O my God, I have displeased thee, 
my best and dearest friend, and my sove- 
reign good. O that I had never offended 
thee ! O that I could make amends for 
what I have done ! 

GOOD RESOLUTION. 

T AM seriously resolved to make a sincere 
JL confession of all my sins, and that soon ; 
to shun all the occasions of sin ; to fulfil all 
my duties perfectly from this time forward, 
and to die rather than to be guilty of any 
mortal sin, and before all and with all my 
power I will endeavor to overcome that sin 
which I commit the most : {name it). With 
all my heart I forgive all my enemies : par- 
don me, also, O God of mercy ! Grant me 
thy powerful assistance that I may lead a 
holy life, and remain faithful to thee until 
death. 

Recommend yourself now to the protection of 
Mary, and of all the Saints and Angels of God, 
saying : 

OLORD, I beseech thee, visit this house, 
and drive far from it all the snares of 
the enemy. May thy holy Angels dwell in 
it to keep us all in peace, and let thy bless- 
ing be upon us always, through Jesus Christ 
thy Son, our Lord. 

Blessed Virgin Mary, after God my only 
hope ! holy Guardian Angel ! thou my pa- 

3 



26 



GENEKAL DEVOTIONS. 



tron Saint and protector, and all ye blessed 
Saints of God ! pray for me during my life, 
and in the hour of my death. 

Pray now for the living and the dead. 

BLESS, O Lord, all my relations and ac- 
quaintances, benefactors, friends, and 
enemies. Protect and bless our holy Father, 
Pope (Pius IX.), all the Bishops and Priests 
of thy holy Church, my Pastor, my Confes- 
sor, and all my superiors, both spiritual and 
temporal. Help the poor, and all who are 
afflicted, prisoners, and travellers, the sick, 
and the dying ; convert all sinners, and here- 
tics ; enlighten the infidels, and the heathen. 

O merciful God! have pity also on the 
poor souls in purgatory : put an end to their 
sufferings, and bring them to eternal rest. 

Then say the Lord's prayer, the "Hail Mary," 
and the Creed, as in the morning. Repeat also 
the three Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity (page 
18), and say afterwards : 

MY God ! I thank thee for having brought 
me safely through this day, and I im- 
plore thee to watch over me also during this 
night, and to preserve me from every sin. 
I dedicate to thee all my sleep, that with 
every breath I draw, l may praise thee, 
thank thee, and love thee as the Saints do in 
Paradise. Amen. 



HOLY MASS. 27 

Go to bed now, with holy thoughts, or repeating 
with your lips some short fervent ejaculations of 
love, and continue thus until you fall asleep. If 
you awake in the night, lift up your thoughts im- 
mediately to God, that no evil imaginations may 
enter your mind, and if they should, say promptly, 

O Jesus ! O Maiy ! No, no, I will die rather than 
do, or wish, or even think of such a thing ! In the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 



JDnjotion at ^olg flla00. 



u From the rising of the sun even to the going 
down, my name is great among the Gentiles ; and 
in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered 
to my name a clean oblation ; for my name is great 
among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of Hosts" — 
Malach. i. 11. 



INSTRUCTION. 
Of all the blessings and treasures which Jesus 
Christ has bequeathed to his holy Church, the au- 
gust Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest, most pre- 
cious, and holiest. The Holy Mass is the sacrifice 
of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which is 
offered to the heavenly Father on our altars under 
the species or appearances of bread* and wine. It 
was instituted by Our Blessed Lord himself, in order 



28 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



to represent and continue that sacrifice which he 
made on the cross of Calvary. The sacrifice on the 
cross was made in a manifest and bloody manner : 
the sacrifice of the Mass is made in a mysterious 
and unbloody manner. In a mysterious manner; 
that is to say, when Christ is offered in the Mass, 
we cannot see him with our eyes as the Jews saw 
him on the cross, his body and his wounds, and his 
blood, but all we can see is that humble appearance 
of bread and wine under which he hides himself 
now from our sight. It is made in an unbloody 
manner ; that is to say, in the Mass our Lord does 
not die again, his life is not taken as formerly by 
the shedding of his blood. Although he is really 
present on the altar, he is there as a living victim, 
his death is only represented. Since his resurrec- 
tion, he is our living Lord, and cannot die again. 
u > Christ being risen from the dead, dieth no more; 
death hath no more dominion over him." 

Jesus Christ, dying once on the cross, offered 
himself up for us to his heavenly Father : " He 
has blotted out our sins by his blood that was shed 
for us, and by his painful death" and thus he has 
reconciled us to the Father. But in order to leave 
us a perpetual memorial of this his great love, at that 
last supper which he partook with his disciples, he 
took bread in his holy hands, and after giving 
thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them to eat, 
saying, " This is my body which is given for you ; 
do this for a commemoration of me" Also he took 
the chalice, and said, " This is the chalice, the new 
testament in my blood which shall be shed for you." 
—St. Luke, xxii. 19, 20. 



HOLY MASS. 



29 



By these words, " Do this in commemoration of 
me" Jesus gave to his Apostles, and their succes- 
sors, the Bishops and Piiests of the Church, the 
power to change the bread and the wine into his 
most holy Body and Blood. The Priest blesses the 
bread and wine as Christ did ; he speaks over them 
the same words of consecration which Christ spoke ; 
and thus the bread and wine are changed now on 
the altar, as they were at the last supper, into the 
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ As Jesus Christ 
sacrificed himself on the cross to his heavenly Fa- 
ther for our sins, so here on the altar, he offers him- 
self up to the same heavenly Father, by the hands of 
the Priest, 

After the consecration which the Priest makes by 
saying over the bread and wine the same words which 
Jesus Christ said at the last supper, there is no longer 
any bread and wine on the altar, but the true and 
living Jesus Christ, at the same time God and man, 
really present although hidden under the appearances 
of bread and wine. 

The Priest offers up Jesus Christ to his heavenly 
Father, in the name of the Holy Catholic Church, 
and the prayer of the Church, together with the pious 
desires and prayers of the faithful, is united with this 
holy sacrifice. It is Jesus Christ rather who upon the 
altar offers himself up, and prays for us, and we may 
confidently hope, that what we cannot obtain from 
God by our prayers alone, we can obtain through the 
Holy Mass, in which Jesus Christ himself prays for 
us, and with us. 

It is an excellent practice, therefore, for those who 
can, to be present daily at this most holy sacrifice, 
of which St. Augustin says : " One who devoutly 

3* 



30 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



hears the holy Mass will fall into no mortal sin, and 
will obtain the pardon of his venial sins" I say, it 
is good to be present every day ; for to hear Mass on 
Sunday or a Holy day is, of course, not only good, 
but a necessary duty ; and to be absent without a 
strong reason, is a mortal sin. Be present, then, as 
often as you can, and while the sacrifice goes on, 
imagine yourself standing near the Saviour when he 
celebrated his last supper with his disciples ; or, if 
you please, on Mount Calvary, at the foot of the cross, 
upon which he offered himself to his heavenly Fa- 
ther for the sins of the world. 

In order to have a part in the merits of the holy 
Sacrifice of the Mass, either you must follow the 
actions and prayers of the Priest, especially at the 
three principal points ; namely, at the Offertory, the 
Consecration, and the Communion ; or make a med- 
itation upon the passion of Christ; or you may make 
use of devout prayers as you find them in your 
prayer-books ; or you may say the Rosary-beads in 
the mean while ; or in fine make use of any other de- 
vout exercise best suited to your own feelings of de- 
votion, uniting all the while your intention to the 
intention of the sacrificing Priest. 



PEATEES FOE MASS. 

BEFORE MASS. 

ALMIGHTY, infinite nnd holy God! Be- 
hold me here before thine altar a poor 
wretched mortal, who am come to take my 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



31 



part in this precious sacrifice of the Holy- 
Mass. Of every sacrifice this one alone is 
worthy of thine infinite Majesty, because 
it is here thine only and eternal Son is 
offered up as the victim. In union with 
that most pure and perfect will with which 
that beloved Son has given himself to be a 
sacrifice for us, I offer this holy Mass in 
adoration of thy holy Name, in thanksgiv- 
ing for all thy past mercies, and in satisfac- 
tion for my many sins. I offer it moreover 
that I may obtain all those graces which I 
need for my salvation, and a blessing upon 
my daily life. (Here you may call to mind 
any special favor which you desire to ask 
of God.) I offer it also for the help and 
consolation of all those for whom I am in 
duty bound to pray, and for those who de- 
sire or need my prayers the most ; for those 
who are living (name them if you like) and 
for those who are dead (name them). 

O God! prepare my heart, purify my 
mind, and blot out all my sins, that I may 
assist as I ought at this most Holy Sacrifice. 



32 



GEXEEAL DEVOTIONS. 



When the Priest at the foot of the altar begins 
the Mass with the sign of the cross, bless your- 
self at the same time, call to mind for a moment 
your sins, and then recite with him also the " Con- 
fiteor," thus : 

T CONFESS to Almighty God, to blessed 
Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael 
the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, 
to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all 
the Saints, and to yon, Father, that I have 
sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and 
deed, through my fault, through my fault, , 
through my most grievous fault {Here strike 
your breast three times) : therefore I beseech 
the blessed Mary ever Virgin, the blessed 
Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the 
Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 
all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray to 
the Lord our God for me. 

Pray then for pardon, thus: 

MAT God have mercy on me, forgive 
my sins, and lead me on to eternal life. 
May the Almighty and Merciful God grant 
me the pardon, absolution, and remission of 
my sins. Amen. 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



33 



At the "Kyrie Eleison" repeat the words, in 
your own language. 

LORD, have mercy on us ! Christ, have 
mercy on us ! Lord, have mercy on us ! 

At the " Gloria in excelsis," repeal that beautiful 
hymn of the Angels, as follows : 

GLORY be to God in the highest ! and on 
earth peace to men of good will ! We 
praise thee, we bless thee, we adore thee, 
we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee 
because of thy great glory, O Lord God, 
Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. 
O Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten 
Son : O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of 
the Father, who takest away the sins of the 
world, have mercy on us. Thou that takest 
away the sins of the world, receive our 
prayers. Thou that sittest at the right hand 
of the Father, have mercy on us. For thou 
only art holy. Thou only art the Lord. 
Thou only, O Jesus Christ, with the Holy 
Ghost, art most high in the glory of God 
the Father. Amen. 

After the " Gloria," the Priest turns to the peo- 
ple and pronounces the salutation. 



34 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Dominus vobiscum. The Lord be with you. 

To which the Acolyte replies for the people, 
Et cum spiritu tuo. And with thy spirit. 

Then, as if to invite the whole congregation to 
unite their intentions to his own intention, the 
Priest sags Oremus, Let us pray. Then follows 
the Collect, that is to say, the collection, because 
the Priest gathers together the desires and prayers 
of all present, and as a mediator offers them to God 
in the name of all the Faithful. Repeat here the 
following prayer : 



LMIGHTY and Eternal God! hear the 



^--^ prayer of thy people, and turn not 
away from us thy most holy countenance on 
account of our sins. Graciously listen to 
the prayers of thy servant, the Priest, who 
prays for the salvation of thy people, and 
through thy mercy grant that we may ob- 
tain what we confidently ask of thee ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



Then follows the Epistle. It consists commonly 
of a portion from the writings of the Prophets or 
Apostles. While this is ready you can repeat the 
following prayer : 



THE COLLECT. 




THE EPISTLE. 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



35 



OMY God, I adore thy Holy Spirit who 
has spoken by the Prophets and Apos- 
tles, and still speaks through the holy Church. 
I receive with humility all the command- 
ments and instructions which the holy Church 
gives me through her Priests. Grant, O 
God, that I may always believe what thy 
Church teaches, and do what she commands ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

THE GOSPEL. 

When the book is carried to the other side of the 
altar, stand up while the Priest is reading the 
Gospel, and pray thus : 

O DIVINE Saviour, how great was thy 
love to come thyself upon the earth to 
be our teacher and show us the way to hea- 
ven. Grant me this grace, that I may listen 
with humility to all the truths which thou 
hast preached ; enlighten my mind that I 
may understand them ; renew my heart that 
I my love and follow them. Grant me thy di- 
vine assistance that I may never be ashamed 
of thy holy Gospel, but confess the same al- 
ways in words as well as works ; who livest 
and reignest, world without end. Amen. 



36 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



THE CREED. 

While the Priest is repeating the u Credo," re- 
main standing and recite it also with him, as fol- 
lows : 

T BELIEVE in one God, the Father Al- 
mighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and 
of all things visible and invisible. And in 
one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son 
of God, and born of the Father before all 
ages ; God of God ; Light of Light ; true 
God of true God ; begotten, not made ; or 
the same substance with the Father; by 
whom all things were made. Who for us 
men, and for our salvation, came down from 
heaven, and became incarnate by the Holy 
Ghost of the Yirgin Mary, and was made 
Man (at these words all hieeV). He was 
crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius 
Pilate, and was buried. And the third day 
he rose again according to the Scriptures, 
and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the 
right hand of the Father. And he is to 
come again with glory to judge the living 
and the dead, of whose kingdom there shall 
be no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



37 



Lord and Life-giver, who proceedeth from 
the Father and the Son ; who, together with 
the Father and the Son, is adored and glori- 
fied ; who spoke by the Prophets. And one, 
Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I 
confess one baptism for the remission of sins ; 
and I look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

THE OFFERTORY. 

Here follows the Offertory ; that is to say, the 

bread and wine lohich are to be changed into the 

most holy Body and Blood of our Saviour are 
offered to God, Say the following prayer : 

EECEIVE, O Father, infinitely holy, al- 
mighty and eternal God, this offering 
which thy Priest presents to thee for us. I 
believe most firmly and surely that it will 
soon be changed into the true body and true 
blood of Christ. Receive this offering, O 
Heavenly Father, for the glory of thy most 
holy name, for the pardon of my sins, in 
thanksgiving for all thy mercies bestowed on 
me, and that I may obtain new graces still,, 
especially those which are most necessary to 
my salvation ; and also for all my superiors^ 



38 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



both spiritual and temporal ; for my friends 
and my enemies, and for all Christians, liv- 
ing and dead. Amen. 

The Priest presently turns to the people, and 
says, "Orate Fratres, Pray, my brethren." By 
this, he asks those present to pray ivith him, that 
this sacrifice may be pleasing to God. Then say : 

MAT the Lord receive this sacrifice from 
thy hands, to the praise and glory of 
his own name, and also for our benefit, and 
that of all his holy Church. 

THE PREFACE. 

The Preface is the introduction to the Canon of 
the Mass. The Priest says, in a loud voice, " Per 
omnia saecula saeculorum : "World without end f 
ichich are the last words of the Secret, or silent 
prayer, which he has just been saying. He then 
begins the Preface with the following appeals to the 
devotion of the people, in whose name the Acolyte 
duly replies : 

P. Dominus vobiscum. P. The Lord be with you. 
A. Et cum spiritu tuo. A. And ivith thy spii*it. 
P. Sursum corda. P. Lift up your hearts. 

A. Habemus ad Domi- A. We do lift them up tc 

num. the Lord. 

P. Gratias agamus Do- P. Let us give thanks to 

mino Deo nostro. the Lord our God. 

A. Dignum et justumest. A. It is meet and just. 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



39 



The Priest then goes on with the Preface. Unite 
with him in the same prayer of praise and thanks- 
giving, and say : 

XT is truly meet and just, right and salu- 
tary, that we should always, and in all 
places, give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, 
Almighty Father, Eternal God, 'through 
Christ our Lord: by whom the Angels 
praise thy majesty, the Archangels adore it, 
the Powers tremble before it, the heavens, 
and the Virtues of heaven, and the blessed 
Seraphs, also, with united exultation praise 
it. We pray thee let our voices ascend with 
theirs to thee, while with the deepest awe 
we confess, and cry (Sanctus), Holy ! holy ! 
holy ! Lord God of Sabaoth ! Heaven and 
earth are full of thy glory ! Hosanna in the 
highest ! Blessed is he that cometh in the 
name of the Lord ! Hosanna in the highest ! 

After the Sanctus, repeat the following words, 
which are nearly the same as those with which the 
Priest begins now, 



E earnestly pray and beseech thee, 
most merciful Father, through Jesus 



the canon. 




40 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Christ our Lord, that thou wilt accept and 
bless these gifts, these offerings, this unspot- 
ted sacrifice. We offer them, first, for the 
holy Catholic Church, that thou wilt be 
pleased to keep it in peace, to protect, unite, 
and govern it throughout the whole world : 
together with thy servant N — , our Pope, and 
N — , our Bishop, and all the true believers 
and followers of the holy Catholic Faith. 

MEMENTO FOR THE LIVING. 

T3E mindful, O Lord, of thy servants — 

(Here pray for those of your friends still liv- 
ing, whose welfare you wish to recommend to God, 
in this holy Sacrifice.) 

Be mindful, also, of all here present, whose 
faith and devotion are known to thee, for 
whom we offer this sacrifice of praise, or who 
offer it up for themselves, their families and 
friends. We pray for the safety of their 
souls, for their final perseverance and eternal 
happiness ; and in fine, we recommend all 
their desires to thee, the living, true and 
everlasting God. 

At the same time, we honor the memory 



PEAYEES FOE, MASS. 



41 



of the ever-glorious and immaculate Virgin 
Mary, the Mother of our Lord and God 
Jesus Christ ; and also of thy blessed Apos- 
tles, and all thy holy Martyrs and Saints 
who have lived and died in this holy faith 
which we profess, and this only church in 
which we live. For the sake of their merits 
and their prayers, grant us in all things thy 
help and protection, through the same Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech thee, also, O Lord, gra- 
ciously to accept this sacrifice at the hands 
of us, thy servants, and of thy whole fam- 
ily ; bless the days of our life with thy holy 
peace, save us from everlasting damnation, 
and may we be counted ever among the 
number of thy elect, through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

O God, may this offering be blessed, and 
in every w^ay acceptable and agreeable to 
thee ; and for our salvation's sake be changed 
into the Body and Blood of thy beloved Son, 
our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

At the Consecration, represent to yourself, in 
4 * 



42 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



a lively manner, Christ as at the last supper, 
when he took bread in his holy hands, blessed it, 
and said, "This is my Body which is given for 
you and when he took also the cup of wine, say- 
ing, " This is the chalice of my blood :" cherish 
and cling to this article of your faith, that Jesus 
Christ, who died for you on the cross, is really, 
truly, and substantially present, as soon as the 
Priest pronounces the sacred words of consecration. 
With firm faith, and deep humility, pray to your 
Saviour, and say, 

WHEN THE SACRED HOST IS ELEVATED, 

T BELIEVE, O Jesus, that thou art truly 
present here, as God and Man, under the 
form of bread. I adore thee with the deep- 
est reverence, as my Lord and my God. 
Jesus, may I live for thee only ! may I 
die for thee gladly ! O Jesus, living, or 
dying, let me be thine ! 

AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE. 

/~\ MY Saviour, I believe that thou art 
here. I believe that thy most precious 
Blood, which was poured out once upon the 
Cross for a sacrifice to atone for our sins, is 
substantially present in this cup, under the 
appearance of wine. Ah ! holy blood of my 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



43 



Kedeemer, I beseech thee, wash and purify 
me from all my sins. 

After consecration, say with the Priest: 

T3EING mindful, therefore, O Lord, of 
Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord, of his 
blessed passion, his resurrection from the 
dead, his glorious ascension into heaven, we 
offer before the throne of thy most excellent 
majesty, of thy gifts and presents, a holy, 
pure, and unspotted Host, the holy bread of 
eternal life, and the chalice of everlasting 
salvation. 

Be pleased to look upon them with a pro- 
pitious and benignant countenance, and gra- 
ciously accept them as thou didst accept the 
gifts of thy just servant Abel, the sacrifice 
of the Patriarch Abraham, and the holy 
sacrifice, the unspotted gift which was offered 
to thee by thy High Priest Melchisedech. 
Prostrate here before thee, O Almighty 
God, we beseech thee, command these offer- 
ings to be brought up to thine altar on high, 
into the sight of thy Divine Majesty, that all 
who partake of the most sacred Body and 



44 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Blood of thy Son at this altar, may be filled 
with every heavenly grace and blessing, 
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

MEMENTO FOR THE DEAD. 

TPjE mindful likewise, O Lord, of thy 

servants, N and N , who are 

gone before us with the sign of faith, and 
rest in the sleep of peace. {Here m.ake men- 
tion of those departed friends wTiom you 
wish to recommend especially to the mercy 
of God, that their sufferings may be lessened, 
or that they may be taken from their place 
of torment to the abode of eternal bliss.) 
To these, O Lord, and to all who sleep in 
Christ, grant, we beseech thee, a place of re- 
freshment, light, and peace, through the 
same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

To us also, sinners though we are, yet thy 
servants, and trusting in the multitude of 
thy mercies, deign to grant some part and 
fellowship with thy Holy Apostles and Mar- 
tyrs, with John and Stephen, Matthias, Bar- 
nabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellin, Peter, 
Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



45 



Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saints : 
Into their company we beseech thee gra- 
ciously to admit us, not weighing onr merits, 
but thine own mercy, through Christ our 
Lord ; by whom, O God, thou dost create, 
sanctify, quicken, bless > and impart all these 
thy good gifts to us. By him, therefore, 
and with him, and in him, to thee, God, 
Almighty Father, together with the Holy 
Ghost, be all honor and glory, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

PATER NOSTER. 

Here, with the Priest, repeat the " Lord's Prayer," 
Our Father who art in heaven, &c. Then offer the 
following petition : 

TTTE beseech thee, O Lord, to deliver 
us from all evils, past, present, and to 
come, and through the intercession of the 
blessed and glorious Mary, ever Yirgin, 
Mother of God, of the holy Apostles Peter 
and Paul, of Andrew, and of all the Saints, 
mercifully grant peace in our days, that we, 
through the help of thy mercy, may be al- 
ways free from sin, and safe from every 



46 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



trouble, through the same Jesus Christ thy 
Son, our Lord. Amen. 

When the Priest breaks the sacred Host, and 
drops a particle of it into the chalice, say with him, 

\i\ AY this commingling and consecration 
of the Body and Blood of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, become to us who receive it 
the source of eternal life. Amen. 

AGNUS DEI. 

At the "Agnus Dei" strike your breast three 
times, and pray to Jesus the incarnate Lamb of 
God for the pardon of your sins, saying with the 
Priest, 

T~ AMB of God, who takest away the sins 
of the world, have mercy on us 1 Lamb 
of God, who takest away the sins of the 
world, have mercy on us ! Lamb of God, 
who takest away the sins of the world, give 
its peace. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who hath said to thy 
Apostles, " Peace I leave with you, my 
peace I give to you," look not upon my sins, 
but upon the faith of thy Church, and be 
pleased to keep her according to thy will in 
peace and unity. 



PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living 
God, who according to thy Father's will, and 
by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, hast 
given life to the world through thine own 
death, deliver me by this thy most sacred 
Body and Blood from all my sins, and from 
every evil. Make me cling to thy command- 
ments always, and never let me be separated 
from thee. 

If during the Mass, or after it, you receive holy 
communion, you may repeat with the Priest the fol- 
lowing additional prayer : 

OLORD Jesus Christ, let not this com- 
munication of thy Body, which, all un- 
worthy as I am, I venture to receive, turn to 
my judgment and condemnation, but rather 
through thy tender compassion become my 
safeguard both of body and soul, and a mer- 
ciful remedy ; O thou who livest and reignest 
with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

THE COMMUNION. 

At the sound of the little bell, ivhen the Priest 
takes the sacred Host in his hand, before his own 



48 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



communion, strike your breast three times also, repeat- 
ing with him each time: 

X ORD ! I am not worthy that thou shouldst 

enter under my roof, but only speak the 

word, and my soul shall be healed. 

If you do not receive the holy communion in reality, 
you can at least make a spiritual communion, uniting 
yourself in desire with the Priest and the others 
who do communicate. Or if you a,re so unfortunate 
as to be in mortal sin, and unworthy of communion, 
you should make an act of regret at your unworthi- 
ness. (See Spiritual Communion, page 120.) 

THE LAST COLLECT. 

After the communion, while the Priest is repeating 
the Collect, pray as follows : 

A LMIGHTY God ! I thank thee with my 
whole heart for all the mercies and 
benefits thou hast bestowed on me, but above 
all that thou hast given thy Son Jesus Christ 
to be the propitiation for our sins, and his 
Body and Blood for the nourishment of our 
souls. O merciful God, watch over me, and 
forbid that I should ever assist at this holy 
Sacrifice in an irreverent manner, or receive 
unworthily this most sacred food; through 
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



I 

PRAYERS FOR MASS. 



49 



At the Ite miss a est, and the Benediction of the 
Priest, say, 

T% /TAY this service which is now ended be 
-L*-*- pleasing to thee, O most Holy Trinity, 
and grant that the sacrifice here offered by 
thy servant the Priest, may be acceptable in 
thy sight, and may bring reconciliation and 
salvation to me, and to all for whom it has 
been offered: through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

May the Almighty God, >J« Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost, bless us now and evermore. 
Amen. 

THE LAST GOSPEL. 

At the last Gospel, stand up, and say, 

TESTIS ! eternal Word of the Father, thou 
" didst become man for love of us. I 
adore thee. I trust in thee. I love thee. 
Thou didst come into the world to show us 
the way of eternal life. Guide me, O Thou 
who art the true light of the world, that I 
may not wander in the darkness of this life, 
but according to thy light lead a holy life, 
and die a blessed death. 

5 



50 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



PRAYER AFTER HOLY MASS. 

OMOST merciful God, I thank thee for 
having permitted me to take part in this 
holy sacrifice. Pardon me all my faults, my 
coldness, and my distraction. -I make the 
firm resolution to sin no more, but to he so 
watchful over all my thoughts, words, and 
actions, that I may not lose the fruits of this 
holy sacrament. Grant me every necessary 
grace, that I may sanctify myself in this 
world, and possess thee eternally in Heaven. 
Amen. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 

(The prayers given in this Method are compiled 
from the Missal, the Breviary, the Ritual, and the 
works of St. Alphonsus LiguorL) 

AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS. 

DELIVER me, O Lord, from eternal 
death in that tremendous day, when 
the heavens and the earth shall be shaken, 
when thou shalt come to judge the world with 
fire. Seized am I with trembling, and I fear 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



51 



for that approaching trial, and that wrath to 
come. O ! that day, that day of wrath, of 
calamity and misery, that great and bitter 
day indeed, when thou shalt come to judge 
the world with fire. 

Eternal rest give them, O Lord: and let 
perpetual light shine on them : may they rest 
m peace. Amen. 

THE CONFlTEOR. 

I CONFESS to Almighty God, to blessed 
Mary, &c. 

As in the other Mass. Pray, then, for pardon, 
thus: 

May God have mercy on me, forgive my 
sins, and lead me to eternal life ! May the 
almighty and merciful God grant me the par- 
don, absolution, and remission of all my 
sins! 

THE INTROIT. 

When the Priest mounts the steps of the Altar, 
imagine you hear the poor souls in Purgatory 
repeating the following verses, as if to implore your 
prayers : 

HAYE pity on me, have pity on me, at 
least you, my friends, because the hand 
of the Lord hath touched me. My flesh is 
consumed, my bone hath cleaved to my skin, 
and nothing but lips are left about my teeth. 



52 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Have pity on me, have pity: on me, at least 
you, my friends. Job, xix. 21. {Then pray.) 
Eternal rest give them, O Lord : and let per- 
petual light shine on them. May they rest 
in peace. Amen. 

KYRIE ELEISON. 

LORD, have mercy on them ! ) 
Christ, have m^rcy on them ! \ SK£££ 
Lord, have mercy on them ! ) 

THE COLLECT. 

OGOD, the Creator and Redeemer of all 
the faithful, give to the souls of thy ser- 
vants departed, the remission of all their sins, 
that through the help of pious supplications, 
they may obtain the pardon which they have 
always desired: Who livest and reignest, 
world without end. Amen. 

THE EPISTLE. 

IN those days, the most valiant Judas, 
having made a gathering, sent twelve 
thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem, for 
sacrifice to be offered fpr the sins of the dead, 
thinking well and religiously concerning the 
resurrection. (For if he had not hoped that 
they that were slain should rise again, it 
would have seemed superfluous and vain to 
pray for the dead.) And because he con- 
sidered that they who had fallen asleep with 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



53 



godliness, had great grace laid up for them. 
It is, therefore, a holy and wholesome thought 
to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed 
from sins. — 2 Mach. xii. 

(Gradual.) — Grant to them eternal rest, O 
Lord ; and may perpetual light shine on 
them. The just shall be in everlasting re- 
membrance : he shall not fear the evil hear- 
ing. — Ps. cxi. 

(Tract.) — Release, O Lord, the souls of all 
the faithful departed from the bonds of their 
sins ; and by the assistance of thy grace may 
they escape the sentence of condemnation, 
and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. 

Here, sometimes, is said the following hymn : 
when you perceive it is not said at the altar, you 
may pass it over also, and go on to the Gospel. 

DIES IR^E. 

Nigher still, and still more nigh, 
Draws the Day of Prophecy, 
Doom'd to melt the earth and sky. 

0, what trembling there shall be 
When the world its Judge shall see, 
Coming in dread majesty ! 

Hark, the trump with thrilling tone, 
From sepulchral regions lone, 
Summons all before the throne. 

Time and Death it doth appall, 
To see the buried ages all 
Rise to answer at the call. 

5* 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Xow the books are open spread ; 
Xow the writing must be' read, 
Which condemns the quick and dead 

Now, before the Judge severe, 
Hidden things must all appear ; 
X aught can pass unpunished here. 

What shall guilty I then plead? 

Who for me will intercede, 

When the saints shall comfort need ? 

King of dreadful Majesty 1 
Who dost freely justify, 
Fount of Pity, save thou me ! 

Recollect, Love divine ! 
Twas for this lost sheep of thine 
Thou thy glory didst resign : 

Satest wearied seeking me, 
Sufferedst upon the Tree : 
Let not vain thy labor be. 

Judge of Justice, hear my prayer ! 
Spare me. Lord, in mercy spare ! 
Ere the Reckoning-day appear. 

Lo ! thy gracious face I seek ! 
Shame and grief are on my cheek ; 
Sighs and tears my sorrows speak. 

Thou didst Mary's guilt forgive, 
Didst the dying thief receive, 
Hence doth hope within me live. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



55 



"Worthless are my prayers, I know, 
Yet, cause me not to go 
Into everlasting woe. 

Sever'd from the guilty band, 
Make me with thy sheep to stand, 
Placing me on thy right hand. 

When the cursed in anguish flee 

Into flames of misery ; 

W r ith the Blest then call Thou me. 

Suppliant in the dust I he ! 

My heart a cinder, crush'd and dry ; 

Help me, Lord, when death is nigh ! 

Full of tears, and full of dread, 
Is the day that wakes the dead, 
Calling all, with solemn blast, 

From the ashes of the past. 
Lord of mercy ! Jesus blest ! 
Grant the Faithful light and rest. 



T that time, Jesus said to the multitude 



you that the hour cometh, and now is, when 
the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of 
God, and they that hear shall live. For as 
the Father hath life in himself, so hath he 
given to the Son also to have life in himself; 
and he hath given him power to do judgment, 



TUX GOSPEL. 




Amen, amen, I say unto 



56 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



because lie is the Son of man. Wonder not 
at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that 
are in the graves shall hear the voice of the 
Son of God ; and they that have done good, 
shall come forth unto the resurrection of life ; 
but they that have done evil, unto the resur- 
rection of judgment. St. John v. 

THE OFFERTORY. 

OLOED Jesus Christ, King of Glory ! 
deliver the souls of all the faithful de- 
parted from the flames of hell, and from the 
deep pit. Deliver them from the lion's 
mouth, lest hell swallow them, lest they fall 
into darkness; and let thy standard-bearer, 
St. Michael, bring them into the holy light, 
which thou hast promised of old to Abraham 
and his posterity. We offer thee, O Lord, a 
sacrifice of praise and of prayer : accept it on 
behalf of the souls we commemorate this day, 
and let them pass from death to life. 

Here make an offering, also, of your own death 
and sufferings in union with the Holy Sacrifice, 
thus : 

OMY God, I offer thee, also, the hour of 
my death, and all the pains I am des- 
tined to suffer from this moment until my last 
breath. Give me strength to bear them with 
perfect conformity to thy will. I cheerfully 
offer thee, moreover, all the pains which thou 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



57 



shalt prepare for me in purgatory. It is just 
that the fire should punish in me all the in- 
sults I have offered to thee. O holy prison, 
when shall I find myself shut up in thee, se- 
cure of never again being able to lose ray 
God ? O holy fire, when wilt thou purify me 
from so many stains, and render me worthy 
to enter the Land of bliss ? I offer all these 
pains to thy glory, uniting them with the 
bitter pains of Jesus' passion. Eternal Fa- 
ther ! I sacrifice to thee my life, and my 
whole being. I entreat thee to accept this 
my sacrifice, in union with, and through the 
merits of, this great sacrifice of Jesus Christ 
thy Son. Amen. 

Almighty God, who art the guardian of 
souls, the safeguard of salvation, and the con- 
fidence of all believers : look mercifully down 
upon us, and through the merits of thy dear 
Son, whose sacred Body we offer in this sac- 
rifice, bless the graves of our departed friends, 
that those mortal bodies which there repose, 
after the course of this life ended, may with 
their happy souls at the great judgment day, 
be found worthy to participate in the rewards 
of eternal life. 

Enter not, O Lord, into judgment with 
these thy servants, for with thee shall no man 
be justified, except through thee the remission 
of all his sins shall be accorded. We beseech 
thee therefore let not the sentence of thy jus- 
tice lie heavy upon those whom the earnest 



58 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



rayer of Christian faith recommends to thee ; 
ut rather, by the succor of thy grace, may 
they be found worthy to escape the avenging 
judgment, who were signed with the seal of 
the Holy Trinity while they lived. 

Graciously regard, O Lord, these gifts 
which we offer thee for the souls of the faith- 
ful departed, that by celestial remedies made 
pure, they may repose in thy compassionate 
mercy. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our 
Lord. Amen. 

When the Priest, turning towards the people, says, 
"Orate Fratres, Pray, my Brethren," answer: 

MAY the Lord receive this sacrifice from 
thy hands, to the praise and glory of 
bis holy name, for the salvation of our souls, 
and for the repose of the faithful departed. 

The Secret. 

LOOK favorably down, O Lord, we be- 
seech thee, upon this Sacrifice which we 
offer for the souls of thy departed servants, 
that as thou wast pleased to bestow on them 
the merit of Christian faith, thou mayst also 
grant them its reward, through Jesus Christ 
thy Son our Lord. Amen. 

THE PREFACE. 

IT is truly meet and right, just and salutary, 
that we should always and everywhere 
give thanks to thee, O Holy Lord, Almighty 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



59 



Father, Everlasting God, through Christ our 
Lord; who by dying hath destroyed death 
for us, and rising again hath renewed our 
life ; and who hath left us this tremendous 
sacrifice as a propitiation for our sins, and for 
the sins of the Faithful departed. Mercifully 
grant therefore, that they, for whom it is 
offered this day, may speedily be released 
from all their sufferings, and find eternal rest 
and perpetual light with thee in Paradise; 
that there we, with them, may praise and 
celebrate thy Majesty, in company with all 
the Angels and Archangels, the celestial 
Powers, the blessed Seraphs, and the whole 
Host of heaven, who ch^nt thy glory, ever- 
more repeating ; Holy! Holy! Holy! is the 
Lord God of Armies! the heavens and the 
earth are full of thy glory ! Hosanna in the 
highest! Blessed is he who cometh in the 
name of the Lord ! Hosanna in the highest ! 

THE CANON. 

WE therefore suppliantly beseech thee, 
O Father of mercies, through Jesus 
Christ thy Son, our Lord, graciously to accept 
and bless this holy Sacrifice, which we offer 
thee ; for the peace and prosperity of thy Holy 
Catholic Church, for thy servant our Father, 

Pope N , for our Bishops and clergy, and 

for all thy faithful Catholic people ; for the 
living that they may prepare for death, and for 
the dead that they may obtain eternal rest. 



60 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



MEMENTO OF THE LIVING. 

BE mindful, O Lord, of thy servants, N — 
and N — , {Here pause and recommend 
to God any living friend for whom you feel 
urged to pray during this Mass}) and of all 
those friends who are very near and very 
dear to me, and of all those who have asked 
for, or desire my prayers, or for whom I 
ought especially to pray ; and so direct and 
strengthen them by thy holy grace, during 
life, that at the hour of their death, the enemy 
may not prevail against them ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

O, Almighty and Merciful God ! who hast 
bestowed on the human race both the means 
of salvation and the gift of eternal life, look 
graciously upon us thy servants, and cherish 
these souls which thou hast created, that in 
the hour of our departure, being free from 
the stain of sin, we may merit to be borne 
upwards by the hands of the holy Angels to 
thee, our Creator. 

Accept, O Lord, we beseech thee, this 
Sacrifice, which we offer thee for the souls of 
the faithful departed, and grant to us also, 
who still remain, the grace of a happy death, 
that by it being purged of all our faults, we 
who in this life are afflicted by the scourges 
of thy dispensation, may receive our eternal 
rest in the life to come. 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



61 



When the first sound of the bell announces that 
the Priest is about to begin the consecration, say : 

OGOD, may this offering be blessed, and 
in every way acceptable and agreeable 
to thee : and for our salvation's sake, and for 
the comfort of departed souls, be changed 
into the Body and Blood of thy dear Son our 



At the elevation of the sacred Host, profoundly 
bowing, say: 

HAIL! true Body of Jesus Christ, my 
Saviour ! O bless and sanctify my soul ! 
{Then add:) Give them eternal rest, O 
Lord. 

At the elevation of the chalice, say : 

HAIL ! true Blood of Jesus my Redeemer ! 
O wash me pure from all my sins! 
(Then add :) Give them eternal rest, O Lord. 
May they rest in peace. 



COMMEMORATING therefore, O Lord, 
the blessed passion of Jesus Christ thy 
Son our Lord, his resurrection from the dead, 
and his glorious ascension into heaven, we 
offer before the throne of thy most excellent 
Majesty, in behalf of these departed souls, 
whom thy justice still detains in the pains of 




Amen. 



THE CONSECRATION. 



AFTER THE CONSECRATION. 



6 



62 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



temporal punishment, this most holy, pure, 
and unspotted victim, the holy Bread of eter- 
nal life, and the chalice of everlasting salva- 
tion. 

A special Memento of the Dead. 

BE mindful especially, O Lord, of thy 
servants N — and N — , who are gone 
before us with the sign of faith, and rest in 
the sleep of peace. (Here make mention of 
those dejiarted friends whom you icish in 
particular to recommend to the divine ?nercy.) 
To these and to all who sleep in Christ, grant, 
we beseech thee, a place of refreshment, light, 
and peace ; through the same Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Grant, O Lord, to thy servants departed, 
that they may not receive a return of punish- 
ment for their deeds, who in desire were 
observers of thy will ; and that as here true 
faith has joined them to the company of thy 
faithful, so there thy mercy may associate 
them to the choir of Angels. 

O God, whose property it is always to show 
mercy, and to spare, we humbly beseech 
thee for the souls of thy faithful servants, 
whom thou hast called out of this world, that 
thou wouldst not deliver them into the hands 
of the enemy, nor forget them until the end, 
but command them to be received by the 
holy Angels, and so be led to Paradise, their 
true country ; that as they have believed and 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



63 



hoped in thee, they may not suffer the pains 
of hell, but possess everlasting joys. 

O God, the light of faithful souls, be pres- 
ent to our supplications, and grant to all thy 
servants and handmaids whose bodies rest in 
Christ, a seat of refreshment, a blissful rest, 
and the light of glory. 

We humbly *pour our prayers to thee, O 
Lord, for these thy servants, beseeching thee, 
that whatever guilt they may have contracted 
through human frailty, thou wilt mercifully 
pardon, and place them in the seat of those 
happy souls whom thou hast redeemed : 
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

To us also, sinners though we are, yet thy 
servants, and trusting in the multitude of thy 
mercies, deign to grant some part and fellow- 
ship with all thy saints : Into their company 
we beseech thee graciously to admit us, not 
weighing our merits but thy mercy : Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

PATER NOSTER. 

Repeat with the Priest " Our Father who art in 
heaven," <fec. ; and then offer the following petition : 

DELIVEE, O Lord, I beseech thee, the 
souls of thy servants from all sorrow 
and suffering, and bring them to the partici- 
pation of thy heavenly joys f and through 
the intercession of the blessed and glorious 
Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of God, of the 



64 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew, 
and of all the Saints, mercifully grant to me 
also the pardon of my sins, grace to the rem- 
nant of my days, and peace in the hour of 
my death, that so through the help of thy 
mercy, in the awfol hour of judgment I may 
stand before the face of my accusing enemy, 
without alarm: Through Jesus Christ thy 
Son our Lord. Amen. 

AGNUS DEI. 

At the "Agnus Dei," pray thus : 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world ! grant them rest 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world ! grant them, rest. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world ! grant them eternal rest 

OLORD Jesus Christ, Son of the living 
God, who, according to thy Father's will, 
and by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, 
hast given life to the world through thine own 
death, deliver me by this, thy most sacred 
Body and Blood, from all my sins, and from 
every evil : make me cling to thy command- 
ments always, and never let me be separated 
from thee. 

O Almighty and Merciful God ! I beseech 
thee, may all these sacraments in which it is 
our privilege to participate, be the means of 
our purification; and grant that this, thy 



MASS FOR THE DEAD. 



65 



sacrifice, may not be to us a ground of accu- 
sation for our punishment, but a salutary in- 
tercession for our pardon : May it serve for 
the washing away of our guilt, for the 
strengthening of our frailty, and for a sup- 
port against all the dangers of the world, 
and to all thy faithful people, whether living 
or dead, for the remission of all their sins ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lofti. Amen. 

THE COMMUNION. 

At the signal given by the little bell, when the 
Priest, before receiving the Sacred Host, strikes his 
breast three times, do the same, and say each time, 

LORD ! I am not worthy that thou 
shouldst enter under my roof, but only 
speak the word, and my soul shall be healed. 

Here you may make the Spiritual Communion 
{see page 121), uniting yourself in desire with the 
communion of the Priest. After which, recite the 
following prayer of the Church : 

TO Almighty God, O dear departed Breth- 
ren, we now commend you. May the 
bright company of the Angels come to seek 
you ; may the senate of the Apostles come to 
greet you ; may the triumphant army of glo- 
rious Martyrs come to meet you; the glitter- 
ing throng of Confessors encompass you with 
their lilies in their hands ; the choir of Vir- 
gins receive you with songs of joy ; and a 



66 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



happy rest embrace yon on the bosoms of 
the Patriarchs. May Jesns Christ appear to 
you with a mild and cheerful smile, and give 
you a place in his presence forever. May 
you be far removed from the horrible dark- 
ness, the hissing flames, the agonizing tor- 
ments. May Christ, who was crucified for 
you, deliver you from your pains. May 
Christ the Son of the living God place you 
in the ever green and pleasant pastures of 
Paradise, and may he, the true ShepTierd, 
acknowledge you among his flock. May he 
absolve you from all your sins, and place you 
at his right hand in the inheritance of his 
elect. May you see your Eedeemer face to 
face, and always in his presence, with the 
happy company of the Blessed, enjoy the 
sweetness of the vision of God for evermore. 
Amen. 

THE LAST GOSPEL. 

For the last Gospel, read what follows : 

I KNOW that my Eedeemer liveth, and 
in the last day I shall rise out of the 
earth : and I shall be clothed again with my 
skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God : 
whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall 
behold, and not another. This my hope is 
laid up for me in my bosom. Job, xix. 25 — 
I am the Resurrection and the Life : he that 
believeth in me, although he be dead, shall 
live ; and every one that liveth and believ- 



HEARING SERMONS. 



67 



eth in me shall not die forever : S. John, xi. 
25 — And I heard a voice saying unto me : 
Write, blessed are the dead who die in the 
Lord ; from henceforth now, saith the Spirit, 
that they may rest from their labors, for their 
works follow them. Apoc. xiv. 13. 
R. Thanks he to God. 

Finally recommend yourselves to the souls in 
Purgatory y and say : 

B'LESSED Souls, I have prayed for yon: 
I now entreat you, who are so dear to 
God, and so secure of never losing him any 
more, to pray for me a miserable sinner, that 
am exposed to sin every day, liable to die 
every day, and in danger of being damned 
and of losing God forever. 



©n faring ifje iDorir of (Soft. 



u He that is of God, hear eth the words of God" 
St. John, viii. 47. 

An important part of the Christian worship is list- 
ening to the word of God from the mouth of the 
Priest. Let no one think himself so wise and learn- 
ed that he can do without it. Preaching is the 
means appointed by God to speak to our heart. 
Therefore, he who will not hear the preachers of the 
Catholic Church shuts his ears against the voice of 



68 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



God, and despises Jesus Christ, who has said, " He 
that heareth you, heareth me, and he that despiseth 
you, despiseth me? 

Let no one say : I can read the word of God for 
myself in the Bible ; of what use is preaching to 
me ? What ! do you dare to think that a human 
mind like yours, created, limited, and full of dark- 
ness, is able, of itself, to comprehend the mind of the 
eternal God ? ! beware, that you do not substi- 
tute your own thoughts for that of God. No ! dear 
Christian, the church of the living God alone, guided 
and enlightened as it is by the Holy Ghost, is able 
to know the mind of God with infallible certainty, 
and to interpret the Holy Scriptures without danger 
of error. She it is, who announces to us the true 
doctrine of Jesus Christ, by her Bishops, and their 
fellow-laborers, the Priests, and they are the teach- 
ers to whom we must listen, unless we are willing 
through a spirit of pride to expose ourselves to the 
most dangerous errors. 

But will you say : I have at home excellent ex- 
planations of the Gospels, and other good books of 
instruction ; these will serve my purpose instead of 
preaching. To this objection of yours, Saint Thomas 
of Villanova has already answered. " Tell me not, 
I am learned, I have at home the works of Augus- 
tin, of Bernard, &c. The letter is dead, the voice 
is living. The preacher is the living voice of God. 
He is 1 the voice of one crying in the wilderness. 7 
Jesus Christ said : 4 The letter killeth, the spirit 
maketh alive.' The world, how was it converted ? 
Through the divine word PREACHED by the apos- 
tles." 

Listen, then, to sermons with a pious and humble 



HEARING SERMONS. 



69 



mind ; judge not the Preacher ; look not for beauti- 
ful words ; do not apply the sermon to others, but 
to yourself alone ; consider the word of the Priest as 
the voice of God, sounding in the ear of your heart, 
and calling you to penance, and often before and 
during the sermon repeat in your heart the words 
of Holy Samuel : " Speak, Lord ! for thy servant 
hearethP 



PRAYER BEFORE THE SERMON. 

COME, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy 
faithful, and kindle in them the fire of 
thy love : thou, who hast gathered the people 
of every tongue into the "unity of the faith. 

O God, who hast instructed the hearts of 
the faithful by the illumination of the Holy 
Ghost, grant us by the same Spirit to under- 
stand what is right, and to rejoice always 
in his consolation, through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

PRAYER AFTER THE SERMON. 

OLORD Jesus Christ, I thank thee for 
having sown this day the seed of thy 
divine word in my soul. Never permit, O 
Lord, this good seed to be taken away from 
my heart, or consumed by the heat of impure 
and earthly desires, or choked up by the 
thorns of worldly care ; but grant rather, 
that through thy blessing, thy word may 
bring forth fruit in me an hundred fold, to 
eternal life. Amen. 



70 



GENEEAL DEVOTIONS. 



£Dn)0ticn0 at ikspnrs. 



Although there is no express commandment which 
makes it a mortal sin to be absent from Vespers, yet 
every good Catholic will make it his duty to attend 
when he can, and see that his family are present 
also. We are commanded to sanctity the Lord's 
day, and the other Holy days of obligation ; but if 
a Catholic neglects the public service of the Church 
on Sunday afternoons, without any reasonable ex- 
cuse, how can it be expected that he will apply him- 
self to sanctify it in other ways ? 

Be present, therefore, always in the church at 
Vespers, and employ the moments you spend there 
in praying devoutly. 

While the Priest and Choir are singing the Office, 
you can follow them by using the following transla- 
tion ; or, if you prefer, you may make use of some 
other prayers, or litanies, according to your devotion. 



PRAYER BEFORE THE OFFICE. 

OLORD, open my lips to praise thy holy 
name : cleanse my heart also from all 
yain, perverse, and wandering thoughts ; en- 
lighten my mind and inflame rny heart, so 
that I may recite this office worthily, atten- 
tively, and devoutly, and merit a gracious 
hearing in the presence of thy divine Majesty ; 
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 



VESPERS. 



71 



THE VESPERS OF SUNDAY. 

First recite an " Our Father," and a " Hail Mary," 
and then begin icith the sign of the Cross, thus : 



V. Deus in adjutoriuni 
meiun intende. 

R. D online, ad adju- 
vandum me festina. 

Gloria Patri, et Filio, 
* et Spiritui Sancto. 

Sicut erat in principio, 
et nunc, et semper, * et 
in saecula sseculorum. 
Amen. 



Y. Incline unto my 
aid, God. 

R. O Lord, make haste 
to help me. 

Glory be to the Father, 
and to the Son, and to 
the Holy Ghost, as it was 
in the beginning, is now, 
and ever shall be, world 
without end. Amen. 



Before and after each Psalm is sung an Anti- 
phon, which varies according to the Festivals. 

Ant. Dixit Dominus. I Antiphon. The Lord 
1 said — 

PCALM CIX. 

(Dixit Dominus.) 

A prophecy of the exaltation and everlasting 
Priesthood of Jesus Christ. 



1. Dixit Dominus Do- 
mino meo, * Sede a dex- 
tris meis. 



The Lord said to my 
Lord : Sit thou at my 
right hand, until I make 



72 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



2. Donee ponam inimi- 
cos tuos, * scabellum pe- 
dum tuorum. 

3. Virgam virtutis tuae 
emittet Dominus ex 
Sion:* dominare in me- 
dio inimicorum tuorum. 

4. Tecum principium 
in die virtutis tuse, in 
splendoribus sanctorum :* 
ex utero ante luciferum 
genui te. 

5. Juravit Dominus, et 
non poenitebit eum : * Tu 
es sacerdos in sternum 
secundum ordinem Mel- 
chisedech. 

6. Dominus a dextris 
tuis : * confregit in die 
\v3d suae reges. 

7. Judicabit in nationi- 
bus, implebit ruinas : * 
conquassabit capita in 
terra multorum. 

8. De torrente in via 
bibet : * propterea ex- 
altabit caput. Gloria Pa- 
tri, &c. 



thy enemies thy foot- 
stool. 

The Lord will send 
forth the sceptre of thy 
power out of Sion : rule 
thou in the midst of thy 
enemies. 

With thee is the prin- 
cipality in the day of thy 
strength, in the brightness 
of thy saints : from the 
womb before the day-star 
I begot thee. 

The Lord hath sworn, 
and he will not repent : 
Thou art a priest forever 
according to the order of 
Melchisedech. 

The Lord at thy right 
hand hath broken kings 
in the day of his wrath. 

He shall judge among 
nations, he shall fill ruins, 
he shall crush the heads 
in the land of many. 

He shall drink of the 
torrent in the way : there- 
fore shall he lift up the 
head. 

Glory be to the Fa- 
ther, &c. 



Ant. Dixit Dominus 



Ant. The Lord said to 



VESPERS. 



Y3 



Domino meo, Sede a dex- 
tris meis. 
Ant. Fidelia. 



my Lord, Sit thou at my 
right hand. 

Ant. All his command- 
ments — 



PSALM CX. 



(Confitebor tibi Domine.) 

The Prophet gives thanks to God, and praises him 
for all his graces and benefits to his Church. 



1. Confitebor tibi, Do- 
mine, in toto corde meo : 
* in concilio justorum, et 
congregatione. 

2. Magna opera Do- 
mini : * exquisita in om- 
nes voluntates ejus. 

3. Confessio et magni- 
rlcentia opus ejus : * et 
justitia ejus manet in 
saeculum saeculi. 

4. Memoriam fecit mi- 
rabilium suorum, miseri- 
cors et miseratur Domi- 
nus : * escam dedit ti- 
mentibus se. 

5. Memor erit in saecu- 
lum testamenti sui : * vir- 
tutem operum suorum 
annuntiabit populo suo. 

7 



I will praise thee, 
Lord, with my whole 
heart : in the assembly 
of the righteous, and in 
the congregation. 

Great are the works of 
the Lord : exquisite and 
agreeable to all his de- 
signs. His work is his 
praise and glory ; and his 
justice remaineth forever, 

# The merciful and gra- 
cious Lord hath ap- 
pointed a memorial of 
his wonderful works : he 
hath given food to them 
that fear him. 

He will be forever 
mindful of his covenant : 
the greatness of his works 
will he publish to- his 
people. 



74 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



6. Ut det illis haeredi- 
tatem Gentium : * opera 
manuum ejus, Veritas et 
judicium. 

7. Fidelia omnia man- 
data ejus, confinnata in 
sseculum saeculi : * facta 
in veritate et sequitate. 

8. Redemptionem mi- 
sit populo suo : * man- 
davit in seternum testa- 
mentum suum. 

9. Sanctum et terribile 
nomen ejus : * initium 
sapientiae timor Domini. 

10. Intellectus bonus 
omnibus facientibus eum : 
* laudatio ejus manet in 
sseculum saeculi. 

Ant. Fidelia omnia 
mandataejus; confinnata 
in sa3culum saeculi. 

Ant. In mandatis. * 



To give them the in- 
heritance of the Gentiles : 
the works of his hands 
are truth and justice. 

True and lasting are all 
his ordinances, confirmed 
forever and ever; made 
in truth and justice. 

He hath sent redemp- 
tion to his people : he 
hath appointed his cove- 
nant forever. 

Holy and awful is his 
name : the fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of 
wisdom. 

All understand it right, 
who practise it : his praise 
endureth forever and ever. 

Ant. All his com- 
mandments are faithful, 
confirmed forever and 
ever. 

Ant. He shall de- 
light— 



VESPERS. 75 
PSALM CXI. 

(Beatus vir.) 

This Psalm teaches us that the good will be 
surely happy, but the wicked will perish forever. 



1. Beatus vir qui timet 
Dominum : * in mandatis 
ejus volet nimis. 

2. Potens in terra erit 
semen ejus : * generatio 
rectorum benedicetur. 

3. Gloria et divitiae in 
domo ejus : * et justitia 
ejus manet in saeculum 
seeculi. 

4. Exortum est in tene- 
bris lumen rectis : * mise- 
ricors, et miserator et 
justus. 

5. Jucundus homo qui 
miseretur et commodat, 
disponet sermones suos in 
judicio : * quia in seter- 
num non commovebitur. 

6. In memoria aeterna 
erit justus : * ab auditione 
mala non timebit. 

Y. Paratum cor ejus 



Blessed is the man that 
feareth the Lord : in his 
commandments he shall 
take great delight. 

Mighty on earth shall 
be his seed : the genera- 
tion of the righteous shall 
be blessed. 

Glory and wealth shall 
be in his house : and his 
righteousness endureth 
forever and ever. 

He is risen in darkness, 
a light to the upright : he 
is merciful and just, com- 
passionate. 

Acceptable is the man 
that showeth mercy and 
lendeth ; he shall order 
his words with judgment, 
and he shall never give 
way. 

The righteous man 
shall be in eternal re- 
membrance : he shall not 
fear an evil report. 

His heart is ready to 



76 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



sperare in Domino, con- 
fir matum est cor ejus : * 
non cornrnovebitur donee 
despiciat inimicos suos. 

8. Dispersit, dedit pau- 
peribus, justitia ejus ma- 
net in seeculum sseculi : 
* cornu ejus exaltabitur 
in gloria. 

9. Peccator videbit et 
irascetur, dentibus suis 
fremet et tabescet : * de- 
siderium peceatorum pe- 
ribit. 

Ant. In mandatis ejus 
cupit nimis. 

Ant. Sit nomen Do- 
mini. 



hope in the Lord : his 
heart is strengthened: he 
shall not yield till he de- 
spise his enemies. 

He hath distributed 
and given to the poor ; 
his righteousness remain- 
eth forever : his power 
shall be exalted in glory. 

The sinner shall see it 
and be enraged : he shall 
gnash his teeth and pine 
away : the desire of sin- 
ners shall perish. 

Ant. He shall delight 
exceedingly in his com- 
mandments. 

Ant. Blessed be the 
name — 



psalm cxn. 

(Laudate pueri Dominum.) 

The Prophet exhorts us to praise God, because 
although infinitely high himself, he does not forget 
the poor and the humble. 



1. Laudate, pueri, Do- 
minum : * laudate no- 
men Domini. 

2. Sit nomen Domini 
benedictum : f ex hoc 
nunc, et usque saeculum. 



Praise the Lord, ye 
servants of the Lord : 
praise ye the name of the 
Lord. 

Let the name of the 
Lord be blessed : now and 
for evermore : 



VESPERS. 



77 



3. A solis ortu usque 
ad occasum : * laudabiie 
nomen Domini. 

4. Excelsus super om- 
nes gentes Dominus : * et 
super coelos gloria ejus. 

5. Quis si cut Dominus 
Deus noster, qui in altis 
habitat : * et humilia res- 
picit in coelo et in terra ? 

6. Suscitans a terra in- 
opem : * et de stercore 
erigens pauperem. 

7. Ut collocet eum cum 
principibus : * cum prin- 
cipalis populi sui. 

8. Qui habitare facit 
sterilem in domo : * ma- 
trem filiorum laetantem. 

Ant. Sit nomen Dom- 
ini benedictum in saecula. 

Ant. Nos qui vivimus. 

7* 



From the rising of the 
sun to the setting thereof : 
worthy of praise is the 
name of the Lord. 

High is the Lord above 
all the nations : and above 
the heavens is his glory. 

Who is like unto the 
Lord our God, who dweil- 
eth on high : and behold- 
eth what is below in heav- 
en and on earth ? 

Who from the earth 
raiseth up the needy 
one : and from the dung- 
hill lifteth up the poor 
one : 

To place him with the 
princes : with the princes 
of his people. 

Who maketh the bar- 
ren woman to dwell in 
her house : the joyful mo- 
ther of many children. 

Ant. Blessed be the 
name of the Lord for ever- 
more. 

Ant. But we that 
live— 



78 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



PSALM CXVI. 

(Laudate DomiDum.) 

The Psalmist invites the whole world to join in 
praising God for his mercy and truth. 



1. Laudate Dominum, 
omnes gentes : * laudate 
eum, omnes populi. 

2. Quoniam confiimata 
est super nos misericordia 
ejus : * et Veritas Domini 
manet in aeternum. 

Gloria Patri, &e. 

Ant ISTos qui vivimus 
benedicimus Domino. 



O praise the Lord, all 
ye nations ; praise him, 
all ye people. 

For his mercy is con- 
firmed upon us : and the 
truth of the Lord remain- 
eth forever. 

Glory be to the Father, 
<fcc. 

Ant But we that live 
bless the Lord. 



THE LITTLE CHAPTER, 2 COR. I. 



Benedictus Deus, et 
Pater Domini nostri Jesu 
Christi, Pater misericor- 
diarum, et Deus totius 
consolationis, qui conso- 
latur nos in omni tribula- 
tione nostra. 

R. Deo gratias. 



Blessed be the God and 
Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the Father of mer- 
cies, and the God of all 
comfort, who comforteth 
us in all our tribulation. 

R. Thanks be to God. 



Then follows the Hymn, which is not always the 
same. The one here given is usually sung on the 
Feasts of the Blessed Virgin. 



VESPERS. 



79 



HYMN. 

(Ave Maris Stella.) 



Ave Maris Stella 
Dei Mater Alma 
Atque semper Virgo 
Felix Coeli porta. 

Sumens illud Ave 
Gabrielis ore, 
Funda nos in pace 
Mutans Evse nomen. 

Solve vincla reis 

Profer lumen caecis 

Mala nostra pelle 
Bona cuncta posee. 

Monstra te esse matrem 
Sumat per te preces 
Qui pro nobis natus 
Tulit esse tuus. 

Virgo singularis, 
Inter omnes mitis 
Nos culpis solutos 
Miles fac et castos. 



Vitam prsesta puram, 



Gentle Star of ocean ! 

Portal of the sky ! 
Ever Virgin Mother 

Of the Lord most 
High! 

Oh ! by Gabriel's Ave, 
Utter'd long ago, 

Eva's name reversing, 
Stablish peace below. 

Break the captive's fet- 
ters; 

Light on blindness 
pour ; 
All our ills expelling, 
Every bliss implore. 

Show thyself a Mother ; 

Offer him our sighs, 
Who for us incarnate 

Did not thee despise. 

Virgin of all Virgins ! 

To thy shelter take us ; 
Gentlest of the gentle ! 

Chaste and gentle 
make us. 

Still as on we journey, 



80 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Iter para tuturn, 

Ut videntes Jesum 
Semper collaetemur. 

Sit laus Deo Patri, 

Summo Christo decus, 

Spiritui Sancto, 

Tribus honor unus. Amen. 

V. Dirigatur, Domine, 
oratio mea, 

R. Sicut incensirm in 
conspectu tuo. 



Help our weak endea- 
vor ; 

Till with thee and Jesus 
We rejoice forever. 

Through the highest 
Heaven, 
To the Almighty 
Three, 
Father, Son, and Spirit, 
One same glory be. 

V. May my prayer, O 
Lord, be directed, 

R. As incense in thy 
sight. 



Before and after the Magnificat is sung an Anti- 
phon, which va?'ies with the different JFeasts and 
seasons of the year. 

THE MAGNIFICAT, 

or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 



1. Magnificat * anima 
mea Dominum. 

2. Et exultavit spiritus 
meus : * in Deo salutari 
meo. 

3. Quia respexit hu- 
militatem ancillae suae : 
* ecce enim ex hoc, bea- 
tam me dicent omnes 
generationes. 



My soul doth magnify 
the Lord, and my spirit 
hath rejoiced in God my 
Saviour : 

Because he hath re- 
garded the humility of 
his handmaid, for behold 
from henceforth all gen- 
erations shall call me 
blessed. 



VESPERS. 



81 



4. Quia fecit mihi mag- 
na qui potens est : * et 
sanctum nomen ejus. 

5. Et misericordia ejus 
a progenie in progenies, 
* timentibus eum. 

6. Fecit potentiam in 
brachio suo : * dispersit 
superbos mente cordis sui. 

7. Deposuit potentes 
de sede : * et exaltavit 
humiles. 

8. Esurientes implevit 
bonis : * et divites dimi- 
sit inanes. 

9. Suscepit Israel pue- 
rum suum : * recordatus 
misericordiae suae. 

10. Sicut locutus est 
ad patres nostros : * Abra- 
ham, et semini ejus in 
ssecula. 

Gloria Patri, &c. 



For he that is mighty 
hath done great things 
to me, and holy is his 
name. 

And his mercy is from 
generation to generation, 
to them that fear him. • 

He hath showed might 
in his arm : he hath scat- 
tered the proud in the 
conceit of their heart. 

He hath put down the 
mighty from their se%t, 
and hath exalted the 
humble. 

He hath filled the hun- 
gry with good things, and 
the rich he hath sent 
away empty. 

He hath received Is- 
rael his servant, being 
mindful of his mercy. 

As he spoke to our fa- 
thers, to Abraham and to 
his seed forever. 

Glory, &c. 



PRAYER. 

WE beseech thee, Lord, let all thy Saints assist 
us wherever we may be : that while we vene- 
rate their virtues, we may also feel their protection : 
Grant to these times in which we live thy holy peace, 
and drive away all evil from thy Church : Direct our 



82 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



lives, our actions, and our wills, and those of all thy 
servants in the prosperous way of thy salvation; 
return an everlasting reward to all our benefactors ; 
and to all the faithful departed grant eternal rest. 
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

• After the Prayer, which is different every Sun- 
day, follow the versicles and responses. 



V. Dominus vobiscum. 

R. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

V. Benedicamus Do- 
mfho. 

R. Deo gratias. 

V. Fidelium animse per 
misericordiam Dei requi- 
escant in pace. 

R. Amen. 



V. The Lord be with 
you. 

R. And with thy spirit. 
V. Let us bless the 
Lord. 

R. Thanks be to God. 

V. May the souls of the 
faithful, through the mer- 
cy of God, rest in peace. 

R. Amen. 



Then repeat, " Our Father, &c," and afterwards, 



V. Dominus det nobis 
suam pacem. 

R. Et vitam aeternam. 
Amen. 



V. May God grant us 
his peace. 

R. And everlasting life. 
Amen. 



Then follows the Anthem in honor of the Mother 
of God, which differs according to the season. 

(During Advent, and until the Purification.) 



ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER. 

Mother of Jesus, heaven's 

open gate, 
Star of the sea, uphold our 
fallen state. 



Alma Redemptoris ma- 
ter, quae pervia coeli 

Porta manes, et stella 
maris, succurre cadenti 



VESPERS. 



83 



Surgere qui curat populo ; 

tu quae genuisti, 
Natura mirante, tuum 

sanctum Genitorem, 
Virgo prius ac posterius ; 

Gabrielis ab ore, 
Sumens illud Ave, pecca- 

torum miserere. 

V. Angelus Domini 
nuntiavit Mariae. 

R. Et concepit de Spi- 
ritu Sancto. 



O tbou, whose sacred 

womb thy Maker bore, 
Remaining ever virginal 

and pure, 
From sinful lips receive 

that earnest Hail, 
Which first from Gabriel, 

hallowed herald, fell. 

V. The Angel of the 
Lord declared unto Mary, 

R. And she conceived 
by the Holy Ghost. 



PRAYER. 



GRATIAM tuam, 
qusesumus, Domi- 
ne, mentibus nostris in- 
funde : ut qui angelo 
nuntiante Christi Filii tui 
incarnationem cognovi- 
mus, per passionem ejus 
et crucem ad resurrec- 
tionis gloriam perduca- 
mur. Per eundem Chris- 
tum Dominum nostrum. 
Amen. 



POUR forth, we be- 
seech* thee, O Lord, 
thy grace into our hearts, 
that we, to whom the in- 
carnation of Christ thy 
Son has been made 
known by the message of 
an angel, may, by his pas- 
sion and cross, be brought 
to the glory of his resur- 
rection, through the same 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



{From the Purification until Easter.) 

AVE RE GIN A C02L0RUM. 

Ave, regina coelorum, 



Ave, domina angelorum, 



Hail Mary, Queen of 

heaven above, 
Whom radiant Angels 
own and love ! 



84 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Salve radix, salve porta, 

Ex qua mundo lux est 
orta. 

Gaude virgo gloriosa, 

Super omnes speciosa ; 

Vale 6 valde, decora, 

Et pro nobis Christum 
exora. 

V. Dignare me, lau- 
dare te, virgo sacrata. 

R. Da 77iihi virtutem 
contra hostes tuos. 



Hail fruitful root, hail 

portal bright, 
Whence streamed on 

earth celestial light. 

Hail glorious Maid, with 

beauty blessed, 
Far lovelier than the 

loveliest. 
! crowned with grace 

and glory thus, 
Pray, Mary, pray to Christ 

for us ! 

V. O deign to let me 
praise thee, Sacred Vir- 
gin ! 

R. And give me power 
against thy enemies. 



PRAYER. 



CONCEDE, misericors 
Deus fragilitati nos- 
tra prcesidium : ut qui 
sanctse Dei Genitricis me- 
moriam agimus, interces- 
sionis ejus auxilio, a nos- 
tris iniquitatibus resur- 
gamus. Per eundem 
Christum Dominum nos- 
trum. Amen. 



GKANT us, merci- 
ful God, a safeguard 
against all our weakness, 
that we, who celebrate 
the memory of the holy 
Mother of God, may, by 
the help of her interces- 
sion, rise again from our 
iniquities, through the 
same Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



VESPERS. 



85 



{From Easter until Trinity.) 



RE GIN A CCELI. 



Regina coeli lsetare, Alle- 
luia. 

Quia quern meraisti por- 

tare, Alleluia, 
Resurrexit sicut dixit, 

Alleluia. 
Ora pro nobis Demn, 

Alleluia. 

V. Gaude tt lsetare, 
Virgo Maria, Alleluia. 

R. Quia surrexit Do- 
minus vere Alleluia. 



Joy to thee, Queen of 

heaven, Alleluia ! 
He whom thou wast meet 

to bear, Alleluia ! 
As he promised, hath 

arisen, Alleluia ! 
Pour for us to him thy 

prayer. Alleluia I 

Y. Rejoice and be glad, 
Virgip Mary, Alleluia ! 

R. For the Lord is 
truly risen. Alleluia \ 



PRAYER. 



DEUS, qui per resur- 
rectionem Filii tui 
Domini nostri Jesu Christi 
mundum laetmcare digna- 
tus es; prsesta quaesumus, 
ut per ejus genitricem 
virginem Mariam perpet- 
uae capiamus gaudia vitce. 
Per eundem Christum 
Dominum nostrum. — 
Amen. 



OGOD, who, by the 
resurrection of thy 
Son, our Lord Jesus 
Christ, hast been pleased 
to fill the world with joy, 
grant, we beseech thee, 
that by his Mother, the 
Virgin Mary, we may re- 
ceive the joys of eternal 
life, through the same 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



86 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



{From Trinity Sunday until Advent.) 

SALVE RE GIN A. 



Salve, Regina, mater mi- 
sericordise ! — vita, dul- 
cedo, et spes nostra, 
salve ! 

Ad te clamamus exules 
Filii Hevas. 

Ad te suspiramus gemen- 
tes et flentes in hac 
lacrymarum valle. 

Eia ergo, advocata nostra, 
illos tuos misericordes 
oculos ad nos converte. 

Et Jesum, benedictum 
fmctum ventris tui, no- 
bis post hoc exilium 
ostende. 



O clemens, pia, dul- 
cis virgo Maria. 



V. Ora pro nobis, 
sancta Dei genitrix. 

R. Ut digni efficiamur 
promissionibus Chris ti. 



Mother of mercy, hail ! 

gentle Queen ! 
Our life, our sweetness, 

and our hope, all hail ! 

Children of Eve, 
To thee we cry from our 

sad banishment ; 
To thee we^end our sighs, 
Weeping imd mourning 

in this tearful vale. 

Come then, our Advocate, 
! turn on us those pity- 
ing eyes of thine : 
And our long exile 

past, 
Show us at last 
Jesus, of thy pure womb 
the fruit divine ; 

Virgin Mary, Mo- 
ther blest ! 

sweetest, gentlest, 
holiest ! 

V. Pray for us, holy 
Mother of God ! 

R. That we may be 
made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 



VESPERS 



87 



PRAYER. 



Omnipotens sempiterne 
Deus, qui gloriosas Vir- 
ginis Matris Mariae corpus 
et animam, ut dignum 
Filii tui habitaculum effici 
mereretur, Spiritu Sancto 
co-opera^nte, prseparasti : 
da, ut cujus cornmeniora- 
tione lsetamur, ejus pia 
intercession ab instanti- 
bus malis et a morte per- 
petua liberernur. Per 
eundem Christum Do- 
rninum nostrum. Amen. 



V. Divinum auxilium 
maneat semper nobiscum. 

E. Amen. 



Almighty and eternal 
God ! who, by the co- 
operation of the Holy 
Ghost, didst prepare the 
body and soul of the glo- 
rious virgin Mother, Ma- 
ry, that she might become 
a worthy habitation for 
thy Son, grant, that as 
with joy we celebrate her 
memory, so by her pious 
intercession we may be 
delivered from present 
evils, and from eternal 
death, through the same 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

V. May the divine as- 
sistance remain always 
with us. 

B. Amen, 



CONCLUDING PRAYER. 

TO the most Holy and undivided Trinity, to the 
crucified humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, to 
the most blessed and glorious and ever-faithful vir- 
ginity of the Virgin Mary, and to the assembly of all 
the Saints in heaven, may everlasting praise, honor, 
power, and glory be given, by every creature, and to 
us, also, the remission of all our sins, through never 
ending ages. Amen. 

V. Blessed be the womb of the Virgin Mary, 
which bore the Son of the eternal Father ! 



88 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



R. And blessed be the breasts which nourished 
Christ our Lord. 
" Our Father," and " Hail Mary." 



BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRA- 
MENT. % 

Ordinarily at the close of the Sunday Vespers, 
and sometimes on other occasions, is given the Bene- 
diction with the Blessed Sacrament. This is done 
in the following manner : 

The Priest, or sometimes a Deacon assisting the 
Priest, goes up to the altar, and opening the taber- 
nacle, takes out the Most Blessed Sacrament which 
is kept there, and leaves it thus on or above the altar, 
exposed in full view to the adoration of the faithful. 
The Priest then descends from the altar, and while 
he incenses the Sacred Host, the Choir sing the 
following hymn, the people remaining all the while 
on their knees, in prayer and adoration 

HYMN. 
(0 Salutaris Hostia.) 



Salutaris Hostia, 
Quae cceli pandis ostium : 

Bella premunt hostilia : 

Darobur fer auxilium. 



O ! Salutary Sacrifice ! 
Whose death has opened. 

Paradise : 
Bv hostile war oppressed, 

afraid, 

To thee we look for 
strength and aid. 



BENEDICTION. 



89 



U ni trinoque Domino, 
Sit sempiterna gloria : 
Qui vitam sine termino, 
Nobis donet in patria. 



Now to the triune God in 
. Heaven, 

Be everlasting glory- 
given ; 

Where life eternal in his 
hand 

Invites us to our Father- 
land. 



Sometimes, also, other Anthems are here sung, or 
the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, during which time 
you can make use of that Litany, or of one of the 
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament. (See page 125.) 
Last of all is sung the following 

HYMN. 



(Tantum ergo Sacramentum.) 



Tantum ergo sacramen- 
tum, 

Veneremur cernui ; 

Et antiquum documen- 

tum, 
Novo cedat ritui ; 

Prsestet fides supplemen- 

tum, 
Sensuum defectui. 

Genitori, genitoque, 
Laus et jubilatio, 

8* 



Down in adoration fall- 
ing, 

Lo ! the Sacred Host we 
hail ; 

Lo ! o'er ancient forms 
departing, 

Newer rites of grace pre- 
vail ; 

Faith for all defects sup- 

Where the feeble senses 
fail. 

To the everlasting Father, 
And the Son who reigns 
on high, 



90 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



Salus, honor, virtus quo 
que, 

Sit et benedictio : 

Procedenti ab utroque, 

Compar sit laudatio. 
Amen. 

V. Panem de coelo 
• prsestitisti eis. 

R. Omne delectamen- 
tum in se habentem. 



With the Holy Ghost. 

proceeding 

Forth from* each eter- 
nally, " 

Be salvation, honor, bless- 
ing, 

Might, and endless ma- 
jesty. Amen. 

V. Thou hast given 
them bread from heaven. 

R. Replenished ivith 
all sweetness and delight. 



PRAYER. 



Deus qui nobis, sub 
sacramento mirabili, pas- 
sionis tuas memoriam re- 
liquisti : tribue quaesu- 
mus, ita nos corporis et 
sanguinis tui, sacra mys- 
teria venerari, ut redemp- 
tionis tui fructum in nobis 
jugiter sentiamus. Qui 
vivis et regnas in ssecula 
sseculorum. Amen. 



God, who has left us 
in this wonderful Sacra- 
ment a perpetual memo- 
rial of thy passion : grant 
us, we beseech thee, so to 
reverence the sacred mys- 
teries of thy Body and 
Blood, that we may con- 
tinually find in our souls 
the fruit of thy Redemp- 
tion: Thou who livest and 
reignest world without 
end. Amen. 



After the Priest has sung this prayer, the white 
veil is laid over his shoulders, and he then mounts 
the steps of the altar, and taking in his hands the 
monstrance which contains the Blessed Sacra- 
ment, gives the Benediction by making with it over 



CONFESSION. 



91 



the Congregation the sign of the cross. At this 
moment kneel more 'profoundly than before, to receive 
this divine blessing of your Saviour, and say : 

OMY God, I am sorry — I am sorry for 
my sins : forgive them, and give me my 

fart in this heavenly blessing ! I love thee, 
will love thee always, and seek to please 
thee in every thought, in every word, and 
every action of my life. 

*h In the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 



EXERCISES OF DEVOTION, 

PREPARATORY TO CONFESSION. 

Call to mind that this confession may be the last 
of your life. Therefore, prepare yourself for it, as 
if you ivere lying sick upon your deathbed, and 
already at the borders of the grave. Ash God to 
give you the grace to make a good examination of 
conscience, and the light to see your sins clearly, and 
as they really are. 

INVOCATION. 

OGOD, the Father of light ! Thou who 
enlightenest all men that come into this 
world, send into my poor soul a ray of the 



92 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



holy light of love and contrition, that I may 
know, detest, and confess the sins, which I 
have committed against thee. I desire to see 
my sins in all their enormity, and just as they 
are in thy sight : I wish to detest them for 
the love of thee, and to confess them with the 
same sincerity, as I should wish to do at the 
moment of my death. Jesus, my God and 
Saviour, I offer to thee the examination which 
I am going to make, and I look to thee with 
confidence for the grace to do it well. And 
do thou, Mother of God, assist me, thou 
who art so full of compassion for sinners that 
desire truly to repent of their sins. 

Help me, my holy Guardian Angel ! help 
me to know all the offences which I have 
committed against my God. O ! all ye Saints 
in heaven, pray for me that I may bring forth 
worthy fruits of penance. Amen. 

Now make your examination of conscience* 



* Persons whose consciences are tender, and who often 
receive the Sacraments, ought not to dwell too long upon 
this examination, but make it quietly, and without scruples. 
For such souls, it is sufficient to cast a careful glance upon 
those faults and imperfections into which they fall the 
oftenest, or they may use the form of Examination on p. 23. 

On the contrary, those who have been a long while 
without confession, should give all that time to the exam- 
ination of conscience, which so important an affair really 
demands, so that they may call to mind, as far as possible, 
the nature and number of their mortal sins. For this pur- 
pose, they make use of the form of Examination given in 
this Manual, page 325. 



CONFESSION. 



93 



Having finished this examination, make the three 
following short meditations, in order to excite in 
yourself a true contrition for your sins: 

I. Consideration. Of the enormity of sin. 

Consider, first, the enormity of a mortal 
sin. It is an insult to Almighty God, and a 
contempt of his holy law. Call to mind that 
you have sinned before Him who knows all 
things, and sees the most secret actions, and 
the silent thoughts of the heart; that you 
have given the death-blow to your immortal 
soul ; that you have drawn down upon your- 
self the anger and punishment of the living 
God, a God who in his just vengeance is 
awful and terrible ; that he it is who cast for- 
ever into hell the holy angels when they first 
rebelled against him ; that, alas ! many of the 
damned who are now groaning in the eternal 
pains of hell, have not committed so great, 
and so many sins as you; and that while 
death is perhaps already very near, it is only 
the infinite patience of this most merciful 
God that makes him wait until now for your 
conversion. 

CONTRITE PRAYER. 

OMY God! O infinite and holy God, 
what have I done? I confess that my 
sins are more in number than the hairs of my 
head, or the sands on the sea-shore. And yet 
only a single one of them all was enough for 



94: 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



my ruin. Yes, one of those mortal sins was 
enough to rob me of heaven, enough to bring 
down thy anger upon my defenceless head. 
Hell opened under my feet when I committed 
the first, and yet others followed, until now 
like a mountain they lie heavy upon my soul. 
Alas ! why am I not penetrated with horror 
and fear at the remembrance of my guilt? 
Sinful soul, what hast thou gained by all these 
sins ? Nothing, O my Lord, nothing but shame 
and sorrow, guilt and remorse. They have 
left me without joy in the past, or hope 
beyond the grave. 

But no, my most merciful Lord, there is 
still hope for me : for I know that if I do 
penance thou wilt forgive me. I do repent 
of all my sins. I hate and detest them from 
the bottom of my heart. I am truly sorry for 
my mad and senseless conduct, and I am 
resolved to sin no more. From this moment 
I devote the rest of my days to penance and 
a holy life. Yes, holy and merciful God, 
hear my firm resolve : Forgive me this once, 
and rather will I lose, a thousand times over, 
all the world has of goods, pleasures, honors, 
health, even life itself, than ever separate 
from thy grace again ! 

II. Consideration. Of the favors received from 
a God who has been offended by our sins. 

Hear, sinner, the voice of God thy Father 
and benefactor, who complains thus of the 



CONFESSION. 



95 



bitter return which thou hast made him for a 
thousand thousand benefits. 

Tell me, ungrateful sinner, what could I do 
for thee that I have not done ? I created thee, 
out of nothing, and made thee in my own 
likeness, without having the least need of 
thee. I redeemed thee by the blood of my 
only Son. I made thee a Christian and a 
Catholic, while millions of men like thee 
were left in the darkness of infidelity or of 
heresy. I have borne with thee patiently 
until this moment, in all thy sins and vices. 
I have given thee so many and so easy means 
to secure thy salvation. And on thy side, 
what hast thou done ? For all this, thou 
hast only returned ingratitude ! I made all 
creatures for thy sake, and thou makest 
use of them only to offend me! — "Hear! 

ye heavens, and give ear, earth! 

1 have brought up children, and exalted 
them, hut they have despised meP Isai. 
i. 2. 

CONTRITE PRAYER. 

OWHAT base ingratitude ! 'No, there is 
not, there cannot be any thing like it 
under the sun. Yes, my most tender Father, 
and loving Benefactor ! this is the way I have 
shown my gratitude to thee for having drawn 
me out of that nothing where I was, and 
where I should be still, except for thee. 
Alas ! alas ! so have I hitherto prized all 



96 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



those precious graces which thou hast show- 
ered upon my thankless head. 

O, ungrateful sinner that I am! Who will 
give sighs enough to my heart, and tears to 
my eyes, that I may weep for the death of 
my soul, and do penance as I ought for this 
treachery to my God, of which I have been 
guilty? O, most merciful Lord, have mercy 
on me! I have a sincere desire, and make 
now the firm resolution to offend thee no 
more. 

Alas ! was it just, was it right, that after 
being brought into existence by God, and 
receiving innumerable benefits at his hand, I 
should so often and so deeply offend him as I 
have done? When this unseen and omnipo- 
tent hand formed me in my mother's womb, 
and gave me hands, feet, eyes, ears, and a 
heart, was it for me to use them in this way 
as so many instruments to insult and violate 
thy sublime Majesty? Ah! unhappy eyes! 
O wicked hands ! O faithless heart ! you by 
your sins have been the cause of grief to 
a God of infinite goodness, the most loving 
and tender of Fathers. 

III. Consideration. Upon the love of Jesus 
Christ, who suffered for our sins. 

Look upon your loving Saviour on the 
cross of Calvary ! His sacred hands and feet 
are pierced through and through with rude 
nails hammered deep into the wood : his 



CONFESSION. 



97 



kingly head is crowned with thorns: his 
sacred body is covered with marks of the 
cruel scourges; and his unspeakable agony 
appears in his dying eyes, and the convul- 
sions of his suffering limbs. "Who is it? and 
what is the cause of this bloody spectacle ? 
Ah ! sinner, it is your Saviour, and your sins 
have brought him to this sad extremity. Yes, 
for your sake he became man, for the pardon 
of your sins he suffered and died. Cruel 
J ews ! cruel soldiers ! but far more cruel sin- 
ners who, in our day, still crucify their Lord 
and mock at his pains ; for the Apostle speaks 
of them when he says : "They crucify again 
to themselves the Son of God, and make a 
mockery of him? Heb. vi. 6. 

CONTRITE PRAYER. 

ALAS ! accursed sins ! how could I treat 
the Son of God so cruelly ? Miserable 
that I am, who will give rivers of tears to my 
eyes, that I may weep according to the mul- 
titude of my sins ! Is this thy reward, my 
dearest Saviour, for that innocent blood which 
thou hast shed with so much love and sorrow 
for my sake ? Could I make thee no better 
return than this ? — by my guilty pleasures, 
my brutal passions, my cold contempt of thy 
holy laws, to cover again thy face with shame, 
and open thy bleeding wounds afresh ? 

O Lamb of God ! sacrificed and lifeless on 
the cross, remember that I am a soul redeem- 
9 



98 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



ed by thy precious blood : pardon me rny 
sins, for I am sorry for them from the bottom 
of my heart. Yes ! raise thy wounded hand 
to bless and pardon me. Receive the traitor 
that now casts himself in sorrow at thy feet. 
My sins fill me with terror, for I know that I 
deserve to be in hell this moment, but surely, 
since thou hast died for me, thou wilt not 
now refuse me mercy: Behold me here, O 
my God ! what wilt thou have me do ? shall 
I weep over my sins ? Indeed, I am sorry for 
them, and detest them with my whole soul. 
Shall I forsake them? I do renounce them, 
now and forever. Shall I spend the remain- 
der of my life in loving thee, and serving 
thee ? This is my desire, and I am resolved 
to do so. Behold now I go to confess my 
sins ! Great God ! give me grace to confess 
them thoroughly, sincerely, and humbly, and 
from this moment, never, never ofiend thee 
any more. Holy Mary, mother of mercy ! I 
recommend myself to thee, in this solemn 
hour. My Guardian Angel, and all my patron 
Saints, pray to the Lord my God for me. 

For particular directions as to the manner of 
making your confessions, see Instructions on the 
Sacrament of Penance, page 294. 



CONFESSION. 



99 



A SHORTER EXERCISE. 

{For some persons who con/ess frequently,) 
INVOCATION. 

OHOLY God, who art always ready to 
receive sinners into thy favor and to 
pardon them, look mercifully upon my poor 
soul, which after so many offences returns 
again to thee, in order to obtain pardon 
through thy Holy Sacrament. Grant me the 
necessary preparation for this : enlighten my 
understanding, that I may see all my sins ; 
soften my heart, that I may be truly sorry 
for them ; direct my words that I may make 
a good confession, and thereby obtain for- 
giveness ; and let not my self-love blind me 
in any way. 

Holy Mary, Mother of mercy, and refuge 
of poor sinners, pray for me now, that I may 
make this confession well, and so obtain par- 
don, and the grace to amend my life. 

CONTRITE PRAYER. 

THOU seest at thy feet, O God of infinite 
Majesty, the traitor who has so often 
offended thee, but now humbly implores 
thee to pardon him. " A contrite and hum- 
hied heart, God, thou wilt not despise" 
I thank thee that thou hast waited for me 
until this day, and hast not left me to die in 



100 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



my sins. I hope, through the merits of Je- 
sus Christ, that having been patient with me 
hitherto, thou wilt pardon me now in this 
confession all the sins which I have commit- 
ted. O my God, I repent of all my sins, and 
am deeply grieved for having committed 
them, because I have sinned against a merci- 
ful and loving Father, and at the risk of my 
eternal salvation. Yes ! I am sorry for them 
all, and with my whole heart, but not so 
much because of the punishment w T hich they 
deserve as because they have offended thee, 

infinite Goodness ! 

O my supreme and only Good, I love thee, 
and because I love thee, I lament all the of- 
fences which I have been guilty of towards 
thee. I have neglected thee : I have not 
paid thee that honor which belongs to thee : 

1 have despised thy favor and thy friendship, 
and I have deserved to lose thee forever. 
For Jesus' sake forgive me all my sins! 
With my whole heart I repent of them. I 
detest them. I repent not only of every mor- 
tal sin whichever I have committed, but also 
of my venial sins, because by them also I 
have offended thee. I resolve for the time 
to come, with the help of thy grace, to of- 
fend thee no more. Yes ! my God, I prefer 
to die rather than to fall into sin any more. 

If you should confess some sin into which you 
are in especial danger of falling again, make a par- 
ticular resolution not to commit that one any more. 



CONFESSION. 



101 



Promise to avoid those occasions which expose you 
to it, and ash your Father- Confessor to point out 
to you the surest means of amendment. 



PRAYER AFTER CONFESSION. 

O JESUS, liow worthy art thou of my 
love, and what thanks do I not owe ! 
I hope that through the merits of thy blood, 
thou hast forgiven me my sins. For this I 
thank thee with my whole heart, and I burn 
with the desire to praise thy mercy in heaven 
through all eternity. Until now, O my God, 
I have offended thee often, but for the time 
to come, I will never offend thee again. I 
am anxious to change my life. Thou dost 
merit all my love, and therefore I will love 
thee truly and dearly. I will never again be 
separated from thee. I have already pro- 
mised thee rather to die than offend thee 
again. Once more I make this promise, and 
hope through thy mercy to keep it. 

I promise also to shun the occasions of sin, 
and to take the following means to keep me 
from falling again {Here name the means). 
But thou knowest my weakness, O my God. 
Give me thy grace, that I may remain true 
unto thee until my death, and teach me, in 
the hour of temptation, to have recourse to 
thee. Mary, help me ! Thou art the Mother 
of perseverance, I place all my hopes ir. 
Thee. 

9* 



102 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



©f (Communion. 



INSTRUCTION. 
{Taken from the writings of St. AVphonsus Ziguori.) 

Of all the holy Sacraments, the Sacrament of the 
Altar is the holiest, the most excellent, and the 
greatest. The other sacraments contain the graces 
and gifts of God, but the Sacrament of the Altar 
contains God himself. Hence the Angelic Doctor 
St. Thomas Aquinas says : " The other sacraments 
are established by Jesus Christ, in order to render 
men fit either for receiving or administering this 
most holy sacrament, which is the complement of 
spiritual life, since the whole perfection of our soul 
proceeds from this same sacrament. For, indeed, 
the whole perfection of man consists in his union 
with God ; but there is no more powerful means of 
uniting us with God, than Holy Communion, through 
which the soul becomes one, as it were, with Jesus, 
as he himself declared when he said, ' He that eat- 
eth my flesh, and drinketh my bloody abideth in me, 
and I in him. 1 " S. John, vi. 57. 

The principal effect of this most holy Sacrament 
is, to preserve in man the life of grace. For this 
reason it is called bread, because, just as common 
bread sustains the life of the body, so this heavenly 
bread preserves the life of the soul, which life is the 
grace of God. Therefore, according to the Council 
of Trent, " it is the most powerful remedy to free us 
from our daily faults, and to preserve us from mor- 
tal sin." (Tnd. Sess. xiii. c. 2.) 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



103 



First of all, the Holy Communion infuses into our 
hearts the love of God. Jesus Christ has expressly 
declared that he came into the world for no other 
cause than to kindle in our hearts the fire of his di- 
vine love. M I am come to cast fire on the earth, and 
what will I but that it be kindled V St. Luke, xiL 
49. What is there now on the earth that can better 
inflame the heart of man with divine love, than the 
Holy Sacrament of the Altar, where the divine Re- 
deemer gives us himself entire ? Therefore the holy 
Council of Trent teaches us that our Saviour in this 
sacrament " has poured out ail the treasures of his 
love for us." Sess. xiii. c. 2, 

Men should desire nothing more or more ardently 
than to receive Jesus Christ, as often as possible, in 
the Holy Communion. 

It is known that the first Christians, as St. Luke 
declares, went daily to the table of the Lord. " They 
continued daily with one accord in the temple, and 
broke bread from house to house.'' 1 Acts, ii. 46. By 
bread all orthodox interpreters of Scripture under- 
stand the Holy Communion. It is farther known 
that the Holy Church in the Council of Trent ex- 
pressed the wish that the faithful who were present 
at the sacrifice of Ure Mass, would receive commu- 
nion every time not only spiritually, but actually. 
Sess. xxii. c. 6. It is also known that the greatest 
saints made use often of Holy Communion as the 
most effectual means of advancing in piety and 
virtue. 

What shall we say, then, of those Christians who 
do not conform to the wishes of Jesus Christ and of 
the holy Catholic Church, and who will not imitate 
the example of all holy souls ? Alas ! I know that 



104 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



they excuse themselves with the wretched pretext : 
We are not worthy to go so often to the table of 
the Lord. 

my God! if worthiness were to be considered, 
who would be found truly worthy to receive commu- 
nion? No one but Jesus Christ would be so, be- 
cause God alone is worthy to receive God. But I 
assure you, my dear Christian, that the longer you 
are absent from communion, all the more unworthy 
will you be to receive it ; the more rarely you go to 
the table of the Lord, so much the more numerous 
will be your faults, because you are thus deprived 
of the principal means of freeing yourself from sin, 
and amending your life, namely, the Holy Com- 
munion. 

But perhaps you will answer : " I do not know 
whether I am in the grace of God, therefore I do 
not trust myself to receive communion." But tell 
me, what do you then require, in order to know if 
you are in the grace of God or not ? Do you ex- 
pect that an angel of God will come to tell you ? 
Should it not satisfy you, if your Father-Confessor 
allows you your communion ? Be sure that if your 
confessor permits you to receive it, you may trust 
more to that than if all the angels gave you permis- 
sion, for Jesus Christ has appointed, not the angels, 
but the priests, to be to you in the place of God. 

" But what will people say," you answer, u when 
they see me going so often to communion ? They 
will either look upon it as a profanation, and blame 
it, or ridicule me, and make a laughing-stock of 
me." To this I answer, make your communion as 
often as your Father-Confessor permits, and with, 
the good intention of advancing in virtue, and let 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



105 



people say what they will. The celebrated John of 
Avila says, that those who blame others for fre- 
quently approaching Holy Communion, perform the 
office of the devil ; and will you be so foolish as to 
care for them ? 

Hear, too, what St. Francis of Sales says : " If the 
children of the world ask you why you so often re- 
ceive Holy Communion, answer them : Two classes 
of men should go to communion often ; namely, the 
perfect, and the imperfect : the perfect, that they 
may continue so, and the imperfect, that they may 
attain perfection. The strong, that they may not 
become weak, and the weak, that they may become 
strong. The sick, that they may recover health, 
and the healthy, that they may not become sick. 
As for yourself, go often to communion, as one im- 
perfect, sick, and weak." 

my God ! of what avail are all these miserable 
evasions and excuses ? Speak the truth, say it out- 
right, that you are not willing to go any oftener to 
Holy Communion, because then you must quit the 
vanities and sinful satisfactions of the world, and that 
you do not love this food of angels, because you still 
love creatures with inordinate affection ; that you do 
not dare often to receive Jesus Christ, because you 
fear the reproof which your Saviour might give you, 
on account of your disorderly and sinful way of life, 
if you were to receive him often in the most holy 
Sacrament. But take it seriously into consideration, 
lest your sinful lukewarmness should be your ruin. 
Never fear that on your death-bed you will reproach 
yourself on account of these communions which you 
have received with contrition and devotion ; but 
fear, lest then — alas ! perhaps too late ! — you may 



106 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



repent of having robbed yourself of so many graces 
which you might have obtained through the fre- 
quent worthy reception of Holy Communion. 

Go to communion then, often, my dear Christian, 
as often as your Father-Confessor will permit you to 
do so. At least, never omit to receive it on the prin- 
cipal Feast-days. 

Live, nevertheless, in such a way that you might 
go to communion daily ; for St. Augustin teaches us 
that such is the desire of the Holy Catholic Church. 

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION. 

To go to the table of our Lord, it is necessary : 
1st, To be in a state of grace. Woe to him who 
would venture to approach the most holy table of the 
Lord with a conscience stained with mortal sin. 
Such a bad Christian would be guilty, like the trai- 
tor Judas, of sacrilege ; for of such an unfortunate 
one, it is written : M And after the morsel (the Holy 
Communion), Satan entered into him? 

Therefore, St. Paul in words of earnest warning 
says to us : " But let a man prove himself an$ so 
let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice ; 
for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth 
and drinketh judgment to himself not discerning 
the body of the Lord." 1 Cor. xi. 28. 

By this is meant that he who receives communion 
unworthily, commits the greatest outrage against the 
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and, like the Jews 
who killed Jesus Christ, becomes also guilty of his 
murder. 

2. One must live with his neighbors in peace and 
Christian unity. Communion means union, and is 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



107 



so called because it is the image of the perfect union 
and brotherly love of all the faithful in Christ. Jesus 
Christ teaches us that we must not bring our sac- 
rifices to the altar, if we remember that our neighbor 
has any thing against us ; with how much greater 
reason are we bound not to approach the table of the 
Lord, if we ourselves cherish in our heart a hatred 
against our neighbor ! We must first be reconciled 
with our enemy. 

3. On the evening before communion, you ought 
to prepare for it by devout prayer, and by reading 
some pious book, and withdraw, in reverence for 
the holy Sacrament, from all noisy and distracting 
amusements. 

4. The Body of Christ must be received fasting, 
that is, we must neither eat nor drink any thing after 
midnight. But those who are dangerously sick, and 
receive this most holy sacrament as a viaticum, are 
dispensed from this. 

5. Every one should approach the table of the 
Lord with devotion, decently and modestly dressed, 
and without any vain ornaments, or display of fashion. 

PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION. 

ACT OF FAITH. 

u Behold he cometh, leaping over the mountains" 
Cant. ii. 8. 

AH ! my dearest Saviour, what wonderful 
and almost insurmountable difficulties 
thou hadst to break through, in order that 
thou mightest come and -unite thyself to ma 
in this holy Sacrament ! Being God, it was 



108 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



necessary to become a man ; being infinite, to 
become an infant ; being Lord of all, to be- 
come a slave ; from the bosom of thy eternal 
Father, thou must pass into the womb of a 
virgin, from heaven into a stable, and from 
thy throne of glory to an infamous gibbet. 
And this morning again from thy heavenly 
home thou dost come to dwell m my heart. 

" Behold he standeth hehind our wall, 
looking through the windows, looking through 
the lattices." (Cant. ii. 9.) O my soul, be- 
hold thy dear J esus all burning with that 
same love which he bore thee, when he died 
for thee on the cross — behold him now under 
the sacramental species! Like an ardent 
lover he gazes upon thee from the consecrated 
Host, and desires to have thee answer to his 
love. From there, although himself unseen, 
he sees thee ; he watches thee closely, thou 
that goest this morning to feed on his sacred 
flesh, that he may discover what thy thoughts 
are, what thou lovest best, what thou desirest, 
what thou wouldst have from him, and what 
offering thou hast to present him in return. 

Courage ! O my soul, and prepare thyself 
to receive Jesus, first by faith, saying : Is it 
then true, O my beloved Redeemer, that in 
a few moments thou wilt come into my heart ? 
O ! my God, hidden and unrecognized by the 
most of men, I believe that thou art really 
present in the most holy Sacrament of the 
Altar. I confess thee with my whole heart, 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



109 



and adore thee in this sacrament as my Lord 
and Saviour, and to confess this truth I would 
gladly give my life. Thou dost come to en- 
rich me with thy graces, and to unite me 
wholly to thyself: how great then should be 
my confidence in a visit so loving as this ! 

ACT OF CONFIDENCE. 

OMY heart, open wide to receive Him ! 
Thy Jesus can enrich thee with all good, 
he loves thee so much ; hope, then, for great 
favors from thy Saviour, who comes to thee 
so full of tenderness and love. Yes, dearest 
Jesus, thou art my hope. This is what I look 
for from thy love — that since thou givest thy- 
self entirely to me this day, thou wilt enkindle 
in my heart a beautiful flame of pure love, 
and excite in me a sincere desire to please 
thee, that for the time to come my only wish 
may be to do what is pleasing to thee. 

ACT OF LOVE. 

OMY God, my God, thou alone art the 
true friend of my soul. Couldst thou do 
more to win my love than thou hast done for 
me ? Thou hast not only been willing to die 
for me, O my Divine Saviour, but thou hast 
even been pleased to institute this holy sacra- 
ment, in order to give me thyself altogether, 
and thus unite thyself intimately with so mean 
and ungrateful a creature as I am. But this 
10 



110 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



is not all — thou dosl; invite me thyself to re- 
ceive thee, and this is thine ardent desire. 
O infinite, O incomprehensible love ! a God 
desires to give himself wholly to me ! O my 
soul, dost thou believe this ? "What art thou 
doing then ? Hast thou nothing to say ? O 
yes, my God ! infinite God ! worthy of all 
love, thou alone dost deserve the love of all 
thy creatures. I love thee with my whole 
heart. I love thee above all things; I love 
thee more than my life. O ! why can I not 
see thee loved by all, cherished by all hearts 
as thou deservest? I love thee, O my God * 
and in the fervor of my love, I unite my poor 
heart with the hearts of all the seraphim, and 
with the heart of Mary, and wish that I might 
have the same love for thee which all the 
saints bear thee, the same with which thy 
divine Mother is inflamed. I love only thee, 
for thou alone deservest all my love. O! 
blessed Mary, mother of holy love, help me 
to love my God as thou desirest to see him 
loved. 

ACT OF HUMILITY. 

SO then, my soul, in a few moments thou 
art going to nourish thyself with the 
sacred flesh of Jesus Christ. Art thou then 
worthy to receive it ? O my God, who am I, 
and who art thou ? Indeed, I know well who 
thou art, thou that givest thyself to me ; but 
thou, Lord, knowest thou who I am, I that 
am to receive thee ? * 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



Ill 



Is it possible, O my Jesus, that thou who 
art purity itself, art so desirous to come and 
dwell in this soul, which has so often been 
the dwelling of thine enemy, and loaded with 
so many sins I I acknowledge, O Lord, all 
thy majesty, and my own deep misery. I 
blush and am ashamed to appear before thee ; 
I would in reverence withdraw from thee, 
but if I leave thee, my Life, whither shall I 
trail \ Where should I seek help, what will 
become of me ] Xo, no ! I will not leave 
thee. I will rather draw nearer and nearer 
to thee every day. Thou lovest to have me 
receive thee for my food, and ever invitest me. 
Well, then, I come, O my dearest Saviour ! 
Yes ! ashamed and deeply humbled by my 
sins, but full of confidence in thy mercy and 
thy love to me, I come to receive thee into 
my heart this day. 

ACT OF SORROW. 

IT grieves me deeply, O God of my soul, 
that hitherto I have not loved thee, that 
instead of loving thee I have frequently even 
offended and displeased thy infinite goodness 
in order to satisfy my wicked inclinations. I 
have abandonee! thee, in contempt of thy 
grace and of thy friendship : in a word, I 
have lost thee, O my God, and that wilfully. 
I am sorry for it ; yes, Lord, my whole soul 
is full of grief. I hate and detest all the sins 
that I have committed, both mortal and 



112 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



venial ; I detest them more than any other 
evil, because they have injured thee who art 
infinitely good. I hope that thon hast already 
forgiven me, but if it be not so, O forgive me 
before I receive thee ; cleanse, O my God, 
with thy precious blood, this soul into which 
thou art coming soon to dwell. 

ACT OF DESIRE. 

HAYE courage, my soul. See ! the happy 
moment has arrived, and thy Jesus is 
coming to dwell in thy heart. Behold the 
Lord of heaven and of earth, thy Saviour and 
thy God, who is drawing nigh to thee, who 
intends to visit thee. Prepare thyself then 
to receive him lovingly, invite him with your 
desires, and say to him: Come, O Jesus, 
come into this heart that longs for thee ; but 
before thou givest thyself to me, I will first 
give myself to thee ; see ! I give up to thee 
this poor heart, receive it, and hasten to take 
possession of it. 

Come, O my God, come promptly and 
without delay! My only and infinite good, 
my treasure, my life, my paradise, my love, 
my all ! O that I could receive thee with that 
same love wherewith all the holiest and most 
ardent souls have received thee until now, 
and with which the most holy Virgin Mary 
received thee. I unite this communion of 
mine with theirs. 



HOLY COMMUNION 113 

O most holy Virgin, Mary my Mother, see ! 
I am going now to receive thy divine Son. 
I wish I might have thy heart in this moment, 
and that love with which thou didst make 
communion. Give thy Jesus this morning 
to me, as thou didst give him to the Shep- 
herds, and to the three holy Kings. I desire 
to receive him from thy pure hands. Tell 
him that I am thy devoted servant, then he 
will love me more, and unite me more closely 
in this happy moment to himself. 

When the Priest elevates the most Sacred Host y 
repeat with him three times the following words: 

OLORD, I am not worthy that tho;-i 
shouldst come under my roof, but say 
only the word, and my soul shall be healed. 

Then with your eyes modestly cast down, but your 
head erect, open your mouth, and advance your tongue 
a little, and thus receive the Holy Sacrament. Be 
sure not to make any hasty movement with your 
mouth, but let the Priest himself lay it' upon your 
tongue. Endeavor tc swallow the holy Host by 
means of the moisture on your tongue without touch- 
ing it with your teeth, and least of all ivith your 
finger. If other communicants are still coming and 
need to occupy your place, then, shortly after receiv- 
ing, but not immediately, retire and make room for 
them ; otherwise, especially when the Communion is 
given out of Mass, you may remain until the Priest 
, gives his benediction. 

10* 



114 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION. 

There is no prayer more acceptable to God and 
more profitable to our own souls than that which 
is offered in thanksgiving after holy Communion. 
Christ our Saviour remains present with us until the 
sacramental species are consumed. During these 
sacred moments, we may imagine that we hear 
from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself these words, 
which he spake formerly to his disciples : u But me 
ye have not always with you." S. John, xii. 8. 

It is not well immediately after Communion to be- 
gin reading in a book ; it is far better to pass some 
few moments in solitary and confidential conversation 
with Jesus Christ, thus kindly present in our heart, 
and to give silent encouragement to those emotions 
and desires which naturally arise. It will not do, 
however, to lose this precious time ; and if the mind 
begins to wander, we must fix our attention immedi- 
ately by means of the Prayer-Book. 

O what treasures of grace can a pious soul obtain 
if she converses in spirit with her beloved Jesus at 
least a half-hour after holy Communion ! 

During the rest of the day the devout soul should 
often think of that great guest, whom she has re- 
ceived in her communion. 

PRAYERS AFTER COMMTOttON. 

ACT OF FAITH. 

BEHOLD! already ray God is come to 
visit me, already my Saviour is come to 
dwell in my soul, already my J esus is within 
me ; he is come to be one with me, and to 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



115 



make me one with him, so that Jesus now 
belongs to me, and I belong to Jesus. Yes ! 
J esus is all mine, and I am all his. O infi- 
nite goodness! O infinite mercy! O infinite 
love ! a God has united himself with me, a 
God who desires to be wholly mine ! O my 
soul, now that thou art so closely united to 
Jesus, now that thou art one with him, what 
art thou doing ? Hast thou nothing to say to 
him, wilt thou not speak to thy God who is 
present within thee ? Awaken then thy faith 
anew, remember that the angels are around 
about thee adoring their God, who now 
dwells in thy heart. Adore thy Lord with 
them ! Keep recollected, and banish every 
other thought, call together all thy affections, 
and lay them before thy God, and say to him : 

ACT OF WELCOME. 

OMY Jesus ! my love, my infinite Good, 
my all, I welcome thee; be always 
welcome to this home which I keep for thee 
in my poor heart. Ah ! Lord, where art 
thou, whither hast thou come ? Into my heart, 
worse than the stable where thou wast born ; 
into my heart full of attachments, of self-love, 
and of disorderly appetites. How couldst 
thou choose such a dwelling as this? Well 
might I say to thee with St. Peter : Depart 
from m.e, Lord, for I am a sinner : I am 
too unworthy to have a God of infinite good- 
ness for my guest. Go rather repose in those 



116 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



pure souls, who serve thee with so much love. 
But no, my Redeemer, what do I say ? Do not 
depart from me, for if thou leave me I am 
lost. I embrace thee, O my life, I attach 
myself inseparably to thee. I have been only 
too foolish in separating myself from thee for 
love of creatures; ungrateful wretch that I 
am, I have driven thee away from my heart. 
But now I will never separate myself from 
thee any more. I am resolved to live and die 
united to thee. 

Most holy Virgin Mary, seraphs, souls who 
love God with a pure love, lend me your 
affections, that I may entertain my dear Lord 
as I ought ! 

ACT OF THANKSGIVING. 

I THANK thee, O my Lord and my God, 
for the grace which thou hast shown to 
me this morning by coming to dwell in my 
soul. Would that I could thank thee in a 
manner worthy of thee, and of the signal 
favor which I have received ! But what do I 
say ? what worthy thanks could I render thee, 
miserable creature that I am ? 

Father Segneri says that the most suitable 
affection for a soul after communion, is the 
wonder which gives rise to this thought : a 
God mine ! a God mine ! " What shall 1 
render to the Lord for all that he hath ren- 
dered to me?" So said David: and I, what 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



117 



shall I render to thee, O niy Jesus, to thee, 
who after so many favors, hast given me thy- 
self this morning? Therefore, O my soul, 
bless thy God, and thank him with all thy 
power. And thou, Mary my mother, and 
you my patron Saints, my Guardian Angel, 
and all ye souls who burn with divine love, 
" come and I will tell you what good tilings 
the Lord hath done to my soul" Come bless 
and thank my God for me, and admire the 
wondrous grace which I have received. 

ACT OF SELF-OFFERING. 

Y Beloved to me, and I to him" 
(Cant. i. 16.) If a king were to 
come and visit a poor shepherd in his hut, 
what could the shepherd offer him but his hut 
such as it is ? Since then, O my divine King 
Jesus, thou art come to visit this poor house 
of my soul, I offer thee my house, and my 
wiiole self, with my liberty and my will. u My 
Beloved to me, and J to him" Thou hast 
given thyself all to me, I give myself all to 
thee. No more, my Jesus, will I be my own ; 
henceforth I wish to belong to thee, entirely 
to thee, and that all my senses may be so 
entirely thine, that they may serve only 
to please thee. And indeed, what greater 
pleasure can one have, said St. Peter of 
Alcantara, than to please thee, a God most 
amiable, most loving, and most grateful. I 




118 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



give up to thee all the powers of my soul, 
that they may be all and altogether thine. 
Let my memory serve only to recall thy 
benefits and thy love, my mind to think of 
thee alone, who thinkest always of my wel- 
fare, my heart to love only thee, my God, my 
all, and to will only that which thou wiliest. 

To thee, then, O my dearest Saviour, I 
consecrate and immolate all I have, all I am, 
my senses, my thoughts, my affections, my 
desires, my tastes, my inclinations, my liber- 
ty, — in a word, I give up my body and soul 
into thy hands. Receive, O infinite Majesty, 
this sacrifice made to thee here, by the most 
ungrateful sinner that ever existed on earth, 
who now however offers and gives himself all 
to thee. O Lord, do with me and dispose of 
me according to thy pleasure. 

Come, O burning fire, O love divine, and 
consume in me all there is of me which is 
not jpleasing to thy pure eyes, so that here- 
after I may be all to thee, may live only to 
accomplish thy commandments and thy coun- 
sels, thy holy desires, and thy good pleasure 
in all things. p Amen. 

O most holy Mary ! do thou present w^ith 
thine own hands, this my offering to the 
Most Holy Trinity ; obtain for me the accept- 
ance of it, and that I may have the grace to 
be faithful until death. Amen, Amen, Amen. 



HOLY COMMUNION. 



119 



ACT OF PETITION. 

OMT soul, what art thou doing now? 
Thou must not lose a moment of time, 
for this time is precious, for thou now canst 
very easily obtain all the graces thou wilt ask. 

Seest thou not how lovingly the Eternal 
Father looks upon thee, now that he beholds 
in thy heart his beloved Son, the object of his 
most tender love ? Banish then every other 
thought, awaken thy faith, open -thy heart, 
and ask whatever thou wilt. Dost thou not 
hear how Jesus himself says to thee : " What 
wilt thou have me do for thee ? Speak, be- 
loved soul, what dost thou desire of me ? I 
have come in order to make thee rich and 
happy ; ask with confidence, and thou shalt 
receive every thing thou desirest." 

Ah! my dearest Saviour, since thou art 
come to me to fill me with graces, and de- 
sirest me to ask them of thee, I ask for no 
earthly goods, nor riches, nor honors, nor 
pleasures. Give me, I beseech thee, a great 
sorrow for all the displeasure which thou hast 
received from me. Give me a great light to 
show me the vanity of the world, and how 
much thou art worthy of being loved. 
Change my heart, detach it from all earthly 
affections, and give me a heart perfectly con- 
formed to thy holy will, which seeks after thy 
good pleasure alone, and aspires to nothing 
else than to thy holy love. 



120 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



I do not deserve all this, O my Jesus, but 
thou deservest it, thou who hast come to 
dwell in my soul. I ask it through thy 
merits, through the merits of thy holy Mother, 
and by the love thou bearest to thy eternal 
Father. 

Here pause for a time, and ask of Jesus some 
special grace for yourself or your neighbor. Do not 
forget poor sinners, and the souls in purgatory. 

Eternal Father! Jesus Christ himself has 
said to us : "Amen, amen, I say to you ; if 
you ask the Father any thing in my name, he 
will give it you." John, xvi. 23. For love 
of this thy divine Son, who now dwells in my 
heart, hear me, and grant me what I now ask. 

Objects of my dearest love, Jesus and 
Mary! let me suffer for you, let me die for 
you, grant that I may belong wholly to you, 
and never to myself any more. 

Praised and blessed forever be the most 
holy Sacrament of the Altar, and blessed be 
the holy and immaculate conception of the 
most holy Virgin Mary. 



OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. 

Spiritual Communion, AvLich unhappily at the 
present day is so little practised by Christians, is so 
excellent a treasure of devotion, that, according to 
the opinion of many saints, it can produce in the 



SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. 



121 



soul, when made aright, something like the same 
grace as the actual reception of the most holy Sacra- 
ment of the Altar ; that is to say, when we are pre- 
vented from receiving communion in reality. 

In order to receive Holy Communion spiritually, 
nothing farther is necessary than to excite in the 
heart a very earnest desire to receive it in reality, if 
it were possible. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that 
spiritual communion consists in an ardent desire to 
receive Jesus Christ in the most holy Sacrament, and 
in an intimate union of affection with him, as if one 
had actually received him. 

The holy Council of Trent bestows especial praises 
upon this kind of communion, and encourages all 
the faithful to make it, particularly during holy 
Mass, when they do not receive the sacrament in 
reality. 

According to this, God will bestow great graces 
upon those who are desirous to receive Jesus Christ 
their loving Redeemer, but frequently cannot; but 
who make at least the spiritual communion. This 
can be done very frequently, at any hour, any 
moment, and at all places. One can make it with- 
out being observed by any one, without being 
obliged to fast, and without the permission of a 
spiritual director. 

This Spiritual Communion may be made in the 
following form : 

ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. 

OMT Jesus, I believe that thou art truly 
present in this holy sacrament. I love 
thee above all things, and I desire thee with 
11 



122 



GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 



my whole soul, but since I cannot now re- 
ceive thee sacramentally, come at least spir- 
itually into my heart. I embrace thee as if 
thou wert already come, I unite myself 
wholly to thee. Never suffer me to be sepa- 
rated from thee ! 

It is necessary, however, to remark that any one 
who should know himself to be in mortal sin, would 
make this holy exercise in vain. Indeed, it would be 
no small offence for the sinner to embrace spiritually 
^that sacred Host, which it would be an awful sacri- 
lege to receive in reality. It is nevertheless always 
right for such persons to pray before the Holy Sacra- 
ment, and to lament that they are unworthy to re- 
ceive it. They may perhaps obtain the grace of con- 
version by the folloiuing prayer : 

ACT OF REGRET. 

OHOLY Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that 
thou art truly present in this Holy Sac- 
rament. Alas ! for me, that I am in mortal 
sin, and dare not go forward to receive thee 
with the rest ; O forgive me all my sins, and 
restore me to thy grace, that I may become 
worthy of this heavenly food. Yes! my 
Saviour, yes ! I am resolved. I will go and 
confess my sins, fully and sincerely, and then 
I will come to meet thee here at this holy 
table, never to separate from thee again. 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Paction to % JJUsaetr 0acraittfnt. 

{From the Visits of St. Liguori.) 



Faith teaches, and we are bound to believe, that 
Jesus Christ is really present in the consecrated Host, 
under the appearance of bread. But we must know 
also that he remains on our altars, as on a throne of 
love and mercy, there to dispense his graces to us, 
and to show his love. He remains with us night 
and day, in this hidden manner, that Christians may 
visit him in the Church, and by their devotions, their 
thanksgivings and affections, gratefully acknowledge 
and honor the loving presence? of Jesus Christ, dwell- 
ing in the Sacrament of the Altar. In the following 
visits you will find many examples of the tender 
affection with which souls inflamed with the love of 
God, desired to remain in the presence of the most 
Holy Sacrament. You will find that all the saints 
have been enamored of this sweet devotion. On this 
earth we cannot find a more brilliant jewel, or a more 
lovely treasure, than Jesus in the Sacrament. O how 
delightful it is to remain with faith, and with a ten- 
der devotion, at the foot of the altar, and to converse 



124 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



familiarly with Jesus Christ who dwells in our taber- 
nacles, for the purpose of hearing the prayers of all 
who visit him ! How delightful to implore his par- 
don for our offences, to lay before him all our wants, 
as one friend does to another in whom he places all 
his confidence, to ask his grace, his love, and his 
glory ! But O what a Paradise to continue in acts 
of love to that Lord, who remains on the altar inter- 
ceding before his Father in our behalf, and burning 
with love for us. Blessed Henry Suso used to say, 
that Jesus, on the altar, hears the prayers of the 
faithful more readily than he does in any other place. 
Make a trial of this devotion, and you will see the 
great fruit which you will gather from it. Be sure 
that of all the moments of your life, the time which 
you spend in devotion before this divine Sacrament 
will be that which shall give you the greatest sup- 
port during life, and the greatest consolation at the 
hour of death, and for all eternity. And be per- 
suaded that you will gain more in a quarter of an 
hour spent in prayer before the Holy Eucharist, than 
in all the other spiritual exercises of the day. 

Do not then, devout soul, refuse to begin this 
devotion. From this, day forward, retire each day 
from the conversation of men, and remain for some 
time, for a half-hour, or at least a quarter, in some 
church, before Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacrament. 



VISITS TO THE B. SACRAMENT. 125 



VISITS TO THE BL. SACRAMENT. 

{For every day in the week.) 



PRAYER BEFORE EACH VISIT. 

O JESUS Christ, my Lord, who, for the 
love which thou bearest to men, dost 
dwell night and day in this Sacrament, full 
of goodness and love, waiting for, inviting 
and welcoming all those who come to visit 
thee, I believe thee here present in the Sacra- 
ment of the Altar. From the deep abyss of 
my own nothingness, I adore thee, and I 
thank thee for all thy graces granted to me 
hitherto, and especially for having given thy- 
self to me in this Sacrament, for having given 
me also thy holy Mother, Mary, to be my ad- 
vocate, and for having called me to visit thee 
in this church. I adore thy most loving heart 
this day, and I adore it with this threefold 
intention : first, in thanksgiving for so greal^ 
a gift ; secondly, to make satisfaction for so 
many injuries which thou hast received from 
thy enemies in this Sacrament ; and thirdly, 
by this visit I wish to adore thee in all those 
places throughout the world, where thou art 
least honored, and most neglected in this di- 
vine Sacrament. My Jesus, I love thee with 
my whole heart! I am sorry for having 
offended thy infinite goodness so often i* time 
11* 



126 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



past. I am resolved, by the help of thy 
grace, to offend thee no more for the future ; 
and at this present moment, all miserable as 
I am, I consecrate myself entirely to thee. I 
give and abandon to thee my whole will, all 
my affections, my desires, and all I have. 
Hereafter, do with me, and with mine, what- 
ever thou wilt. My only desire and petition 
is, that I may have thy holy love, the grace 
of final perseverance, and may be able to 
fulfil in all things thy holy will. I recom- 
mend to thee the souls in purgatory, especially 
those who have been most devout to thee in 
this holy Sacrament, and to the Blessed 
Virgin Mary. I recommend to thee, more- 
over, all poor sinners. Finally, my dear 
Redeemer, I unite all my desires to the de- 
sires of thy own heart so full of love ; and 
thus united, I offer them to thy eternal Fa- 
ther, and beseech him in thy name to receive 
them, and for thy love's sake to grant them. 

# FOR SUNDAY. 

, Behold the source of every good, J esus in 
the Blessed Sacrament, who says to us : " If 
any man thirst, let him com,e to me" S. Jo. 
vii. 37. O ! how many graces have the 
Saints always drawn at this fountain of the 
most Holy Sacrament, where Jesus dispenses 
to us all the merits of his passion, as the 
Prophet foretold : " You shall draw waters 
with joy out of the Saviours fountains" 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACBAMENT. 127 

(Isai. xii. 3.) The Countess of Feria, that 
distinguished disciple of the Venerable Fa- 
ther Avila, who became a Nun of the order 
of St. Clara, and was named the bride of the 
Blessed Sacrament, on account of her long 
and frequent devotions in presence of the 
most blessed Sacrament, was asked one clay, 
what she was doing all those long hours she 
spent in presence of her Lord ? She replied : 
u I would remain there for all eternity. Have 
I not there the essence of God, who will be 
the aliment of the Blessed in heaven ? Good 
God ! what is one doing before him ! Ah ! 
rather, what does one not do ? One loves, 
one praises, one gives thanks, one prays. 
What does a beggar in presence of a rich 
man ? What does a sick man in presence of 
his physician ? What does a thirsty man be- 
fore a fountain of pure water ? What does a 
hungry man before a table well prepared V } 

OMOST lovely, most sweet, and dearest 
Jesus! life, hope, treasure, and only 
love of my soul. O ! how much has it not 
cost thee to remain with us in this Sacra- 
ment ! It was necessary for thee to die in 
order to remain afterwards upon our altars : 
and how many injuries hast thou not been 
made to suffer in consequence of this pres- 
ence among us ! But thy love, and thy de- 
sire to be loved by us, have surmounted all. 
Come then, Lord, come and occupy my 



128 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



heart, and afterwards close the gate to it for- 
ever, so that no creature may ever enter 
there again to take away a part of this love 
which belongs entirely to thee, and which I 
am unwilling to give to any other. Do thou 
alone, my dear Redeemer, reign over me ! 
Do thou alone possess me entirely ; and if at 
any time I should not obey thee perfectly, 
punish me severely, that for the future I 
may be more careful to please thee, accord- 
ing to thy desire. Let me no more desire 
nor seek for any other pleasure than to please 
thee, to visit thee often at thy altar, to con- 
verse with thee, and to receive thee in the 
holy communion. Let them look for other 
goods who will ! For me, I love only, I de- 
sire only the treasure of thy love. The only 
favor I ask at the foot of this altar is, that I 
may forget myself altogether, only to re- 
member thy goodness. Blessed Seraphs, I 
do not envy you your glory ! but by the love 
you bear to your God and mine, O teach me 
what I must do, to love him and please him 
like you ! 

Short prayer to remember and repeat. — O ! 
my J esus, thee only I love, thee only will I 

please ! 

To conclude, make your spiritual Communion. 
(See, at the end of Devotions Jor Communion, page 
120.) 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 129 



FOR MONDAY. 

Jesus addresses to every soul that visits 
him in the most Holy Sacrament, the same 
words addressed to the sacred Spouse of the 
Canticles : "Arise, make haste ! my love, my 
beautiful one, and come" (Cant, ii.) Soul, 
who comest to visit me, arise ! come out from 
all thy misery; I am here to enrich thee 
with graces. Come near to me : do not fear 
my majesty, which has humbled itself in 
this Sacrament, in order to take away thy 
fear, and to inspire thee with confidence. 
Thou art my friend. Yes ! no longer my 
enemy, but my beloved friend, since thou 
lovest me, and I love thee also. Thou art 
my beautiful one, for my grace has made 
thee beautiful. Come then, come and unite 
thyself to me, and with the greatest confi- 
dence ask what thou wilt. It is St. Theresa 
who says that this great King of glory has 
put on the appearance of bread in the Holy 
Sacrament, and hidden his majesty from our 
eyes, in order to encourage us to approach 
with more confidence to his divine heart. 

Let us draw near, then, with great confi- 
dence and love. Let us unite ourselves to 
him, and ask him for his holy grace. 

WHAT joy ought mine to be, O eternal 
Word made man, and become Sacra- 
ment for me, knowing that I am in thy pres- 



130 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



ence, that thou art my God, that thou art 
infinite in majesty, infinite in goodness, and 
that thou hast such a tender regard for my 
soul ? O ! ail ye souls who love God, wher- 
ever you are, in heaven or on earth, love 
him for me too ! Mary, my Mother ! help 
me to love him : and thou, most ]oving Lord, 
render thyself the object of all my affections : 
make away with all my will : take posses- 
sion of me entirely. I consecrate to thee my 
whole mind, so that I may think always of 
thy goodness ; I consecrate to thee my body 
also, so that it may assist me to please thee ; 
I consecrate to thee my soul, so that it may 
be alw r ays thine. How I desire, O Beloved 
of my soul, that all men knew the tenderness 
of thy love to them ! They would then all 
live only to honor and please thee, as thou 
desirest, and deservest. As for me, at least, 
let me live always thus, charmed with thy 
infinite beauty ! I desire to do all in my 
power hereafter, to make myself agreeable 
in thy sight. 

I resolve, moreover, to abandon any thing, 
no matter what it may be, so soon as I shall 
know that such is thy desire, no matter what 
suffering it may cause me, if I were called 
even to lose my life. Happy would I be to 
lose all .and gain thee, O my God, my treas- 
ure, my love, my all ! 

Short prayer to remember and repeat. — 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 131 

Jesus, my love, take me entirely, possess me 
entirely. 

The Spiritual Communion, as before, page 120. 

FOR TUESDAY. 

"In that day" says the Prophet, " there 
shall he a fountain open to the house of 
David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 
for the washing of the sinner" (Zaeh. xiii. 
1.) Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is this 
fountain foretold by the Prophet, which is 
open to all, and where, as often as we like, 
we can wash away from our souls all those 
spots with which they are contaminated by 
daily sin. What better remedy can we find 
for any fault into which we have fallen, than 
to have immediate recourse to the Blessed 
Sacrament ? Yes, my Jesus, so will I always 
do, for well I know that the water of this 
salutary fountain, at the same time that it 
washes my soul, will give me the light and 
strength to fall no more; and while it in- 
flames me with thy love, will teach me to 
suffer adversity with joy. This is the reason, 
I know it well, why thou dost wait for my 
visits here, and why thou payest the visits of 
those that love thee with such abundant 
graces. Be it so then, O my Jesus ! wash 
away all the faults which I have committed 
this day, and w T hich I am now sorry for, be- 
cause they have displeased thee. Give me 



132 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



the strength not to fall again, and give me 
also an ardent desire to love thee more than 
I do. O ! why can I not be near thee 
always, like thy faithful servant Mary Diaz, 
who lived in the time of St. Theresa, and 
who obtained of the Bishop of Avila the per- 
mission to dwell in the gallery of a church ? 
There she remained almost always in pres- 
ence of the Blessed Sacrament, which she 
called her neighbor, never going out from 
there except for confession or communion. 
The venerable brother Francis of the Infant 
Jesus, barefooted Carmelite, whenever he 
passed before a church where the Holy Sac- 
rament was kept, could not help entering to 
visit it, for he said it was not becoming for 
one to pass before the house of his friend 
without going in to greet him, and to say 
one word at least. But he was not contented 
with a word, he always remained in presence 
of his dearly beloved Lord as long as he was 
permitted. 

MY only, my infinite good ! I understand 
full well why thou hast been pleased to 
institute this sacrament, and to remain thus 
upon this altar — it is to gain my love, and 
for the same reason thou, hast given me a 
heart capable of loving much. Why, then, 
thankless sinner that I am, do I not love 
thee, or why do I love thee so little ? No ! 
it is not just to love feebly, a goodness so 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMEST. 133 

worthy of love as thine. Thy love to me 
deserves a far greater return of love on my 
part. Thou art the infinite God, and I am 
only a miserable worm of the earth. It 
would be but little if I were to die, to be- 
come annihilated for thee, since for me thou 
hast died, and for love of me thou dost sacri- 
fice thyself daily upon the altar. Much thou 
deservest to be loved, and I desire to love 
thee much. Help me. my Jesus, help me 
to love thee, that thus I may do what is so 
pleasing in thy sight, and what thou de- 
mandest so earnestly of me. 

Short prayer to remember awl repeat* — My 
beloved is mine, and I am his. 

The S}?i ritual Communion, page 120. 
FOR WEDNESDAY. 

St. Paul, praising the obedience of Jesus 
Christ, savs that he was "obedient unto 
death:' to his Eternal Father. (Phil, ii.) But 
in this sacrament our divine Lord has carried 
his obedience farther still, for he is content 
to obey not only his Eternal Father, but even 
man himself, and not only until death, but 
even unto the end of the world. He has 
made himself obedient, one may say, until 
the consummation of ages. King of Heaven 
as he is, he comes down nevertheless out of 
obedience to man, and remains afterwards 
12 



134 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



upon the altar, only, as it would seem, out of 
obedience to man. " As for me" he says 
by his Prophet, U I make no resistance" 
(Isai. 1. 5.) There he remains without any 
movement of his own ; he allows himself to 
be placed wherever they may choose to place 
him, whether exposed to view in the osten- 
sorium, or shut up in the ciborium ; he lets 
himself be carried where they please to carry 
him, either through the street, or in the 
house ; he allows himself to be given in com- 
munion to every one as they think fit to give 
him — to the just, or to the sinner. When he 
was living on the earth, as St. Luke tells us, 
he was obedient to the Blessed Virgin Mary 
and to St. Joseph, but in this sacrament he 
obeys as many creatures as there are priests 
on the earth — "As for me, I make no resist- 
anceP 

f \ LISTEN while I venture to address 



heart from which so many sacraments have 
issued, and especially this Sacrament of 
Love ! Would that I could procure as much 
honor and glory for thee as thou dost pro- 
mote the honor and glory of thy Eternal 
Father by means of the holy Sacrament in 
our churches ! I know that on this altar 
thou dost love me with that same love which 
moved thee to sacrifice thy divine life for me 
in a sea of sorrows on the cross. Enlighten, 




most loving heart of my Jesus! 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACKAMENT. 135 

O divine Heart ! those who do not know 
thee, in order that they may know thee. De- 
liver through thy merits all who are in Pur- 
gatory, or at least comfort those suffering 
souls which thou hast already chosen to be 
thy spouses for eternity. I adore thee, I 
thank thee, and I love thee with all the souls 
that love thee in this moment, whether on 
earth or in heaven. O ! most pure and holy 
Heart of J esus, purify my heart from all at- 
tachment to creatures, and fill it with thy 
holy love. O ! most tender Heart of Jesus, 
take possession of my whole heart, in such a 
way that it may be all thine own, and may 
always be able to repeat with confidence, 
" Who shall separate me from the love of 
God, ivhich is in Jesus Christ?" (Rom. 
viii.) O ! most holy Heart, engrave in my 
heart those bitter pains which thou didst 
suffer on the earth for so many years, and 
with such great love for me, so that moved 
to compassion at the sight, I may always de- 
sire, or at least suffer with patience for thy 
sake, all the pains of this life. O ! most 
humble Heart of Jesus, impart to me thy 
spirit of humility. O ! most gentle Heart of 
Jesus, lend me something of thy gentleness. 
Take away from my heart all that does not 
please thee, convert it entirely to thee, so 
that it may will nothing, wish nothing except 
what thou wilt. In a word, so dispose of 
me that I may live only to obey thee, to love 



136 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



thee, and to please thee. I acknowledge 
that I am most deeply in thy debt ; yes, that 
I am bound to thee by the heaviest obliga- 
tions, and it would be still only a small re- 
turn if I could annihilate and sacrifice my- 
self entirely for thee. 

Short prayer to remember and repeat. — O 
Heart of Jesus, thou only shalt be master in 
my heart ! 

Spiritual Communion, page 120. 

FOR THURSDAY. 

God having given us his own Son (so 
reasons St. Paul), how can we fear that he 
will ever refuse us any thing ? (Rom. viii.) 
And this all the more, since we know that 
the eternal Father has given all things into 
his hands. (St. John, xiii.) Let us then al- 
ways thank the goodness, the mercy, and the 
bounty of our most gracious God, who has 
been pleased to enrich us with every good 
and every grace by giving us Jesus Christ 
in the Sacrament of the Altar. (1 Cor. i.) 
Have I not good reason then to think, O 
Saviour of the world, O incarnate Word, 
that thou art mine, and if I desire it, wholly 
mine ? But can I say as truly that I am 
w r holly thine as thou wouldst have me ? 
Ah ! my Lord, grant that the world may 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 137 



be no longer witness to this injustice and 
ingratitude which I show thee by not yield- 
ing myself up entirely to thee, according to 
thy desire. 

Ah ! let it be so no more. Let the future 
be something far different from the past. 
To-day with the most steadfast resolution I 
consecrate myself all to thee. I consecrate 
to thee my life, my will, my thoughts, my 
actions, and my sufferings, while time lasts, 
and eternally. Behold ! I am all thine ; 
like a victim devoted to thee, I detach my- 
self from creatures and offer myself all to 
thee: consume me with the flames of thy 
divine love. No! I am unwilling that 
creatures should any longer have a place 
-in my heart. The many marks of love 
which thou hast given me, even when I difl. 
not love thee, — these make me hope with 
confidence that thou wilt accept me now that 
I do love thee, and give myself away to thee 
through love. 

ETERNAL Father! I offer thee to-day 
all the virtues, the acts, and the affec- 
tions of the Heart of Jesus. Accept them 
on my behalf; and through his merits which 
are all mine, since he has given them to me, 
grant me those graces which Jesus asks for 
me. For all thy mercies shown to me I 
offer thee my thanks, in union with those 
same merits. Through them also I hope to 



138 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

satisfy for what is still due to thy justice for 
my sins. Through them finally, I hope for 
every grace at thy hand, for pardon, for per- 
severance, for paradise, and above all for 
the gift of thy pure love. I see clearly that 
in all I do, I only put obstacles in the way 
of this, but to this evil apply a remedy also. 
I ask it of thee in the name of Jesus Christ, 
who has promised us that thou wilt grant all 
we ask of thee in his name (St. Jo. xiv.), 
and therefore thou canst not refuse me. 
Lord ! my only desire is to love thee, to give 
myself entirely to thee, and no longer to re- 
main so ungrateful as I have been hitherto. 
Look upon me, and grant my prayer. From 
this very day may I be thoroughly converted 
to thee, never to fall away from thy love 
a^ain. My God, I love thee ! Infinite Good- 
ness, I love thee ! I love thee, for thou art 
indeed my love, my paradise, my good, my 
life, my all. 

Short prayer to remember and repeat. — My 
Jesus! my all! it is thy will to have me 
thine, and my will is to have thee mine. 

Spiritual Communion, page 120. 
FOR FRIDAY. 

" Why hidest thou thy face f 5 (Job, xiv.) 
Job was filled with alarm when he saw that 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 139 

God had hid his face from him ; but if Jesus 
Christ in the Blessed Sacrament hides his 
majesty from our eyes, we have no reason 
to be afraid, but to be animated all the more 
with confidence and love. It is only to 
manifest his love more clearly, and to in- 
spire us with greater confidence, says Xova- 
rino, that he hides himself under the sem- 
blance of bread, and stations himself on the 
altar. For who, indeed, would ever dare to 
approach with confidence, and make known 
all his desires and affections, if this King of 
heaven were to appear on the altar with full 
splendor and glory ? 

A H ! my Jesus, what an invention of love 
XjL is this Blessed Sacrament ! Thou hidest 
thyself under the appearance of bread in 
order to gain our love, and so that every 
one \vho seeks for thee, may find thee even 
here on earth. It is not without great rea- 
son that the Prophet calls on us to proclaim 
to the whole world the inventions of that 
love which our God has for us. (Isa. xii. 4.) 
O Heart of Jesus, fall of love, and worthy 
to possess the hearts of all creatures ! Heart, 
always full of the flames of purest love ! 
burning fire that thou art, consume me 
wholly, and give me a new life of love and 
of grace ! Unite me to thyself in such a 
way that I may never separate from thee 
again. Heart of Jesus ! open refuge for 



140 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



souls, receive me, Heart of Jesus, so af- 
flicted on the cross for the sins of the world, 
give me a true sorrow for my sins. I know 
that in this divine sacrament thou preserv- 
est the same sentiments of love which thou 
didst feel in dying for me on Calvary, and 
therefore thou dost ardently wish me to be 
united to thee. Can I then any longer re- 
* fuse to yield myself up entirely to thy love, 
to thy desire ? Ah ! my beloved Jesus, by 
thy own merits I entreat thee, wound my 
soul with thy love, and bind and unite me 
entirely to thy heart. I resolve this day, 
with the assistance of thy grace, to do all in 
my power to please thee, and for thy sake 
to trample under foot all human respect, 
every inclination or repugnance, all pleas- 
ures and comforts, which may be in any way 
hindrances to the perfect accomplishment of 
thy will. Grant, O Lord, that I may keep 
this resolution, so that henceforth all my ac- 
tions, and all my feelings and affections, 
may be in all things conformable to thy will. 
O love of God, banish from my heart all 
other love ! O Mary, my hope, thou art all- 
powerful with God, obtain for me the grace 
to be until death the faithful servant of Jesus 
and of his pure love. Amen ! amen ! Be- 
hold my hope and my desire, for time and 
for eternity. 



Short prayer to remember and repeat- 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 141 

" Who shall separate me from the charity of 
Christ?" 

The Spiritual Communion, page 120. 

FOR SATURDAY. 

O how beautiful a sight it was to behold 
our dear Redeemer that day when, " weary 
with his journey" but full of sweetness and 
love, he was seated by the fountain, waiting 
for the Samaritan woman, to convert and 
save her ! " Jesus therefore sat thus on the 
well" (St. John, iv. 6.) Does it not seem 
that the same thing is repeated every day, 
when descending from heaven upon our 
altars, he remains there as if by the side of 
so many fountains of grace, waiting for souls, 
and inviting them to keep him company for 
a little w T hile at least, that he may draw them 
in this way to his perfect love? From each 
altar where Jesus dwells in the Blessed Sac- 
rament he seems to speak to us, and say: 
Christians, why do you fly from my pres- 
ence ? Why will you not come, why will 
you not draw near to one who loves you so 
tenderly, and who humbles himself to re- 
main dn this place for your sake? What do 
you fear ? I am not come to judge you, but 
I am hidden in this Sacrament of Love only 
to do good, and to save every one w T ho will 
have recourse to me. u I came not to judge 



U2 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



the world, hut to save the world" St. John, 
xii. 47. 

Let us then be persuaded that as Jesus 
Christ in heaven " is always living to make 
intercession for us" (Heb. vii.), so in the 
Sacrament of the Altar he is fulfilling night 
and day the office of our advocate, offering 
himself as a victim to his eternal Father to 
obtain for us mercy and graces without num- 
ber. Hence, the devout A-Kempis says that 
we ought to pray to Jesus in the Blessed 
Sacrament as one speaks to a beloved friend : 
"As lover speaks to one heloved, as friend to 
friend" 

SO then, O my Lord and King, hidden in 
this Sacrament, since thou dost invite 
me to converse with thee, I will open my 
heart with confidence, and speak. O my 
J esus, ardent lover of souls, I know too well 
the injustice and ingratitude of men towards 
thee. Thou lovest them, and they do not 
love thee : thou dost confer benefits on them, 
and they return thee insults : thou wouldst 
have them hear thy voice, and they will not 
listen : thou dost offer graces, and they refuse 
them. Ah ! my Jesus, I too have been once 
among the number of these ungrateful souls. 
O my God, it is only too true. But I desire 
to amend, and I wish to compensate for the 
injuries I have done thee, by doing all I can 
to please thee for the remainder of my life. 



LITANY OF JESUS. 



143 



Tell me, O Lord, what thou dost require of 
me ? I will do it without the least reserve. 
Make known to me thy will by the way of 
holy obedience, and I hope to accomplish it. 
My God ! I firmly promise never to leave 
undone any act which I know to be agree- 
able to thee, although the performance of it 
should cost me the loss of all things, of rela- 
tions, friends, character, health, and even life 
itself. Let me lose all, if only I may do thy 
will ! Happy loss, when all is sacrificed to 
content thy heart, O God of my soul! I 
love thee, O sovereign good, above all goods 
worthy of my love, and in loving thee I unite 
my feeble heart with the hearts of all the 
Seraphim. I unite it with the heart of Mary, 
and with the heart of Jesus. I love thee 
with my whole soul ; I w T ish to love thee 
alone, now and forever. 

Short prayer to rememher and repeat. — My 
God! my God! I am thine, and thou art 
mine. 

The Spiritual Communion, page 120. 



I * 

T .r 



Citang of Mtsns. 



Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have m£rey on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear us. 



144 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Christ, graciously hear us. 
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy 
us. 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, ' 

God the Holy Ghost, 

Holy Trinity, one God, 

J esus, Son of the living God, 

Jesus, splendor of the Father, 

J esus, brightness of eternal life, 

J esus, King of glory, 

Jesus, sun of justice, 

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, 

Jesus, whose name is Wonderful, 

Jesus, mighty God, 

Jesus, Father of the world to come, 

Jesus, Angel of the great council, 

Jesus, most powerful, 

Jesus, most patient, 

Jesus, most obedient, 

J esus, meek and humble of heart, 

Jesus, lover of chastity, 

Jesus, God of peace, 

Jesus, author of life, 

Jesus, example of every virtue, 

Jesus, lover of souls, 

Jesus, our God, . 1 

Jesus, our love, 

Jesus, our refuge, 

Jesus, our way and our life, 

J esus, Father of the poor, 

Jesus, treasure of the faithful 

Jesus, good Shepherd, 



LITANY OF JESUS. 



145 



J esus, true light, 

J esus, eternal wisdom, 

Jesus, infinite goodness, 

Jesus, joy of the Angels, 

J esus, master of the Apostles, 

Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists, 

Jesus, strength of Martyrs, 

J esus, light of Confessors, 

Jesus, spouse of Virgins, 

Jesus, crown of all Saints, 

Be merciful to us. Jesus, spare us 
Be merciful to us. Jesus, hear us. 

From all evil, Jesus % deliver us ! 

From all sin, 

From thy wrath, 

From the snares of the devil, 

From the spirit of impurity, 

From everlasting death, 

From the neglect of thy holy inspira- 
tions, 

By the mystery of thy holy incarnation, 
By thy nativity, so joyful, 
By thy childhood, so innocent, 
By thy life, so divine, 
By all thy labors, 
By thy agony and bloody sweat, 
By thy cross and passion, 
By thy pains and sorrows, 
By thy death and burial, 
By thy glorious resurrection, 
By thy wonderful ascension, 
By thy joys and glory, 
13 



146 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world. Spare us, Jesus. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world. Hear us, Jesus. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 
the world. Have mercy on us, Jesus. 

Y. Jesus, hear ns. 

JR. Jesus, graciously hear us. 

LET US PRAY. 

OGOD, who hast appointed'thy only be 
gotten Son to be the Saviour of man- 
kind, and hast commanded that he should be 
called Jesus, mercifully grant that we may 
enjoy in heaven the happy sight of Him 
whose holy name we venerate upon earth, 
who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth 
and reigneth one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 



147 



®l)e tDag of % (£ros0. 

It was a very frequent and most touching devo- 
tion of Christians in former times to make a pilgrim- 
age to the Holy Land of Palestine, where our 
Blessed Redeemer lived and died, and there to visit 
every spot of ground which had been made sacred 
by his presence, and especially those which were 
known as the stations of his passion and death, and 
to honor these holy places by prayer and by pen- 
ance. Afterwards, when the Holy Land had fallen 
into the hands of the infidel Saracens, and Christians 
could no longer make this pilgrimage with safety, 
this exercise of the Way of the Cross was invented 
as a substitute. Pictures representing the most 
moving and remarkable events of our Lord's passion, 
from the time of his sentence to his burial, are hung 
about the walls of the church, and by visiting these 
in succession, and praying before each one, we are 
able in some manner to imitate the devotion of 
Catholics of other days, although by a pilgiimage 
far less long and painful. The Way of the Cross, in 
its present form, was instituted in the middle of the 
fourteenth century, by the Franciscans. The Sove- 
reign Pontiffs have attached to it many indulgences, 
which are too numerous to mention here. Any one 
who is in a state of grace may gain these indul- 
gences by making the round of these fourteen sta- 
tions, meditating before each one upon the mystery 
it represents. No form of prayer is required, nor is 



148 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



it necessary that these meditations should be long 
(S. C. Lid. 22 Sept., 1829 ; do. 1 April, 1831.) As 
for those to whom it is impossible to fulfil these con- 
ditions, either because they cannot meditate, or are 
unable to visit the stations, they may make the Way 
of the Cross in another manner, by means of a cru- 
cifix indulgence^ for this purpose. These gain all 
the indulgences by holding the crucifix in their 
hand, and reciting fourteen times the Pater, Ave, 
and Gloria ; then five times Pater, Ave, and 
Gloria, in honor of the five wounds of our Lord ; 
and finally, one Pater, Ave, and Gloria, for the 
intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. 

The following beautiful method of performing this 
devotion is from the pen of St. Alphonsus. 

PRAYER BEFORE THE HIGH ALTAR. 

O JESUS Christ, my Lord, with what 
great love thou didst pass over this 
painful road, which led thee to death ; and 
I — how often I have abandoned thee ! But 
now, I love thee with my whole soul, and be- 
cause I love thee, I am sincerely sorry for 
having offended thee. My Jesus, pardon 
me, and permit me to accompany thee in 
this journey. Thou art going to die for love 
of me, and it is my wish also, O my dearest 
Redeemer, to die for love of thee. yes, 
my J esns, in thy love I wish to live, in thy 
love I wish to die. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 



149 



FIRST STATION. 

Jesus is condemned to Death. 

V. We adore Thee, Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how Jesus, after having been 
scourged and crowned with thorns, was un- 
justly condemned by Pilate to die on the 
Cross. {Pause awhile.) 

MY adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate ; no, 
it was my sins that condemned Thee 
to die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this 
sorrowful journey, to assist my soul in her 
journey towards eternity. I love Thee, my 
beloved Jesus ; I love Thee more than my- 
self ; I repent with my whole heart of having 
offended Thee. Never permit me to separate 
myself from Thee again. Grant that I may 
love Thee always ; and then do with me what 
Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, <kc. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 
13* 



150 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

i 

SECOND STATION. 

Jesus is made to bear his Cross. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how Jesus, in making this jour- 
ney with the cross on his shoulders, thought 
of us, and offered for us to his Father the 
death He was about to undergo. {Pause 

awhile.) 

MY most beloved Jesus ! I embrace all 
the tribulations Thou hast destined for 
me until death. I beseech Thee, by the mer- 
its of the pain Thou didst suffer in carrying 
Thy cross, to give me the necessary help to 
carry mine with perfect patience and resig- 
nation. I love Thee, Jesus my love, above 
all things ; I repent with my whole heart of 
having offended Thee. Never permit me to 
separate myself from Thee again. Grant 
that I may love Thee always, and then do 
with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 151 

THIRD STATION. 

Jesus falls the first time under his Cross. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider this first fall of Jesus under His 
Cross. His flesh was torn by the scourges, 
His head crowned with thorns, and He had 
lost a great quantity of blood. He was so 
weakened He could scarcely walk, and yet 
He had to carry this great load upon his 
shoulders. The soldiers struck Him rudely, 
and thus He fell several times. (Pause 
awhile.) 

Y Jesus, it is not the weight of the 
Cross, but of my sins, which has made 
suffer so much pain. Ah, by the mer- 
of this first fall, deliver me from the mis- 
tune of falling into mortal sin. I love 
ee, O my Jesus ; I repent with my whole 
heart of having offended Thee. Never per- 
mit me to separate myself from Thee again. 
Grant that I may love Thee always; and 
then do with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 




152 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



FOURTH STATION. 
Jesus meets his afflicted Mother. 

V. "We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider the meeting of the Son and the 
Mother, which took place on this journey. 
Their looks became like so many arrows to 
wound those hearts which loved each other 
so tenderly. (Pause awhile.) 

MY sweet Jesus, by the sorrow Thou didst 
experience in this meeting, grant me 
the grace of a truly devoted love for Thy 
most holy Mother. And thou, my Queen, 
who wast overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain 
for me, by thy intercession, a continual and 
tender remembrance of the passion of thy 
Son. I love Thee, Jesus my love, above all 
things ; I repent of ever having offended 
Thee. Never permit me to separate myself 
from Thee again. Grant that I may love 
Thee always ; and then do with me what 
Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 



153 



FIFTH STATION. 

The Cyrenian helps Jesus to carry his Cross. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how the Jews, seeing that at each 
step Jesus was on the point of expiring, and 
fearing He would die on the way, when they 
wished him to die the ignominious death of 
the cross, constrained Simon the Cyrenian 
to carry the cross behind our Lord. {Pause 
awhile.) 

MY most beloved Jesus, I will not refuse 
the cross as the Cyrenian did ; I accept 
it ; I embrace it. I accept in particular the 
death Thou hast destined for me, with all its 
pains ; I unite it to Thy death, I offer it to 
Thee. Thou hast died for love of me ; I will 
die for love of Thee. Help me by Thy grace. 
I love Thee, Jesus my love, above all things ; 
I repent with my whole heart of having of- 
fended Thee. Never permit me to separate 
myself from Thee again. Grant that I may 
love Thee always ; and then do with me what 
Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvaiy ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



154: PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



SIXTH STATION. 
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 

Thee. 

E. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 

redeemed the world. 



Consider how the holy woman named Ve- 
ronica, seeing Jesus so ill used, and His face 
bathed in sweat and blood, presented Him 
with a towel, with which He wiped His 
adorable face, leaving on it the impression of 
His holy countenance. (Pause awhile.) 

MY most beloved Jesus, thy face was 
beautiful before, but in this journey it 
has lost all its beauty, and wounds and blood 
have disfigured it. Alas ! my soul also was 
once beautiful, when it received Thy grace 
in baptism; but I have disfigured it since 
by my sins ; Thou alone, my Redeemer, canst 
restore it to its former beauty. Do this by 
Thy passion, O Jesus. I repent with my 
whole heart of having offended Thee. Never 
permit me to separate myself from Thee 
again. Grant that I may love Thee always ; 
and then do with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let roe, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



WAY OF THE CROSS* 



155 



SEVENTH STATION. 

Jesus falls the second time. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by Thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider the second fall of Jesus under the 
Cross ; a fall which renews the pain of all the 
wounds of His head and members. {Pause 
awhile) 

MY most sweet Jesus, how many times 
Thou hast pardoned me, and how many 
times have I fallen again, and begun again 
to offend Thee ? O ! by the merits of this 
second fall, give me the necessary helps to 
persevere in Thy grace until death. Grant 
that in all temptations which assail me I 
may always commend myself to Thee. I 
love Thee, J esus my love, above all things ; 
I repent with my whole heart of having of- 
fended Thee. Never permit me to separate 
myself from Thee again. Grant that I may 
love Thee always ; and then do with me what 
Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, dec. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



156 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



EIGHTH STATION. 

Jesus speaks to the Daughters of Jerusalem. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 

Consider how these women wept with com- 
passion at seeing J esus in such a pitiable state, 
streaming with blood, as He walked along. 
" My children" said He, " weep not for Me, 
hut for your children" {Pause awhile.) 

MY Jesus, laden with sorrows, I weep for 
the offences I have committed against 
Thee, because of the pains they have de- 
served, and still more because of the dis- 
pleasure they have caused Thee, who hast 
loved me so much. It is Thy love more than 
the fear of hell, which causes me to weep for 
my sins. My Jesus, I love Thee more than 
myself; I repent with my whole heart of 
having offended Thee. Never permit me to 
separate myself from 'Thee again. Grant 
that I may love Thee always ; and then do 
with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, <fcc. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Cavalry ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 



157 



NINTH STATION. 

Jesus falls the third time, 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider the third fall of Jesus Christ. His 
weakness was extreme, and the cruelty of His 
executioners excessive, who tried to hasten 
His, steps when He could scarcely move. 
{Pause awhile) 

AH, my outraged Jesus, by the merits of 
the weakness Thou didst suffer in going 
to Calvary, give me strength sufficient to con- 
quer all human respect, and all my wicked 
passions, which have led me to despise Thy 
friendship. I love Thee, Jesus my love, 
above all things ; I repent with my whole 
heart of having offended Thee. Never per- 
mit me to separate myself from Thee again. 
Grant that I may love Thee always ; and 
then do with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, etc. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I mav suffer, Lord, with vou. 
14 



158 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS, 



TENTH STATION. 

Jesus is stripped of his Garments. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

E. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider the violence with which the ex- 
ecutioners stripped Jesus. His inner gar- 
ments adhered to his torn flesh, and they 
dragged them off so roughly that the skin 
came with them. Compassionate your 'Sa- 
viour thus cruelly treated. (Pause awhile.) 

MY innocent Jesus, by the merits of the 
torment Thou hast felt, help me to 
strip myself of all affection to things of earth, 
in order that I may place all my love in Thee, 
who art so worthy of my love. I love Thee, 
O Jesus, above all things; I repent with my 
whole heart of having offended Thee. Never 
permit me to separate myself from Thee 
again. Grant that I may love Thee always ; 
and then do with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 



159 



ELEVENTH STATION. 

Jesus is nailed to the Cross. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

E. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how Jesus, after being thrown on 
the Cross, extended His hands, and offered 
to his eternal Father the sacrifice of His life 
for our salvation. These barbarians fastened 
Him with nails, and then, securing the Cross, 
allowed Him to die with anguish on this in- 
famous gibbet. (Pause awhile.) 

MY Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail my 
heart to Thy feet, that it may ever re- 
main there, to love Thee, and never quit 
Thee again. I love Thee more than myself; 
I repent with my whole heart of having 
offended Thee. Xever permit me to separate 
myself from Thee again. Grant that I may 
love Thee always ; and then do with me what 
Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You go to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



160 PARTICULAE DEVOTIONS. 



TWELFTH STATION. 

Jesus dies on the Cross. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how Jesus, after three hours' 
agony on the Cross, consumed with anguish, 
abandoned himself to the weight of His 
body, bowed His head, and died. (Pause 
awhile.) 

OMY dying Jesus, I kiss devoutly the 
Cross on which Thou didst die for love 
of me. I have merited by my sins to die a 
miserable death, but Thy death is my hope. 
Ah! by the merits of thy death, give me 
grace to die embracing Thy feet, and burning 
with love to Thee. I commit my soul into 
Thy hands. I love Thee, O Jesus, above 
all things ; I repent of ever having offended 
Thee. Permit not that I ever offend Thee 
again. Grant that I may love Thee always, 
and then do with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You came to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 



WAY OF THE CROSS. 



161 



THIRTEENTH STATION. 

Jesus is taken down from the Cross. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how our Lord, having expired, 
two of his disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, 
took Him down from the Cross, and placed 
Him in the arms of His afflicted Mother, 
who received Him with unutterable tender- 
ness, and pressed Him to her bosom. (Pause 
awhile.) 

/~\ MOTHER of sorrow, for the love of 
\J this Son, accept me for thy servant, and 
pray for me. And Thou, my Redeemer, 
since thou hast died for me, permit me to 
love Thee ; for I wish but Thee, and nothing 
more. I love Thee, my Jesus, above all 
things ; I repent of ever having offended 
Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee 
again. Grant that I may love Thee always ; 
and then do with me what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You came to die on Calvary ; 
Let me, Jesus, follow too, 
That I may suffer, Lordf with you. 
14* 



162 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



FOURTEENTH STATION. 

Jesus is placed in the Sepulchre. 

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise 
Thee. 

R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast 
redeemed the world. 



Consider how the disciples carried the 
body of Jesus to bury it, accompanied by 
His holy Mother, who arranged it in the 
sepulchre with her own hand§. They then 
closed the tomb, and all withdrew. (Pause 
awhile.) 

AH, my buried Jesus, I kiss the stone that 
incloses Thee. But Thou didst rise 
again the third day. I beseech Thee by Thy 
resurrection, to make me rise glorious with 
Thee at the last day, to be always united with 
Thee in heaven, to praise Thee, and love 
Thee forever. O Jesus, I love Thee, and I 
repent of ever having offended Thee. Per- 
mit not that I ever offend Thee again. Grant 
that I may love Thee ; and then do with me 
what Thou wilt. 

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, &c. 

Jesus ! for the love of me 
You came to die on Calvary ; 



STEPS OF THE PASSION. 163 



Let me, Jesus, follow too, 

That I may suffer, Lord, with you. 

Finally say, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, 
<fcc, five times, to gain other Indulgences, 



&l)e 0tep0 of our amour's |Ja00ion. 

(An excellent Litany for Fridays, and for Lent, 
composed by St. Augustin.) 

I. O dearest Jesus, so sorrowfully praying 
to thy Father in the Garden, whilst trembling 
with agony, and covered with a sweat of 
blood ; have mercy on us. 

It. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

XL O dearest Jesus, betrayed by a traitor's 
kiss into wicked bands, seized upon, and 
"bound like a robber, and abandoned by thy 
disciples ; have mercy on us. 

It. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

III. O dearest Jesus, by the unjust council 
of the Jews, found guilty of death, led to 
Pilate as a malefactor, spurned and mocked 
by unjust Herod ; have mercy on us. 

H. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

IV. O dearest Jesus, stripped of all thy 



164 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



garments, and most cruelly scourged at the 
pillar ; have mercy on us. 

It. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

V. O dearest Jesus, crowned with thorns, 
buffeted, smitten with a reed, blindfolded, 
covered with a purple garment, derided in 
every way, and saturated with contempt; 
have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

VI. O dearest Jesus, less valued than the 
robber Barabbas, rejected by the Jews, and 
unjustly condemned to the death of the cross ; 
have mercy on us. 

It. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

VII. O dearest Jesus, laden with the 
cross of wood, and led to thy place of pun- 
ishment like a lamb to slaughter ; have 
mercy on us. 

It. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

VIII. O dearest Jesus, ranked among 
thieves, blasphemed and derided, with gall 
and vinegar insulted in thy thirst, and from 
the sixth to the ninth hour left hanging on 
the cross in dreadful torment ; have mercy 
on us. 

It. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

IX. dearest Jesus, extended lifeless on 



STEPS OF THE PASSION. 165 



the gibbet of the cross, in presence of thy 
holy'Mother pierced with a lance, and shed- 
ding blood and water in one mingled stream ; 
have mercy on us. 

R. Rave mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

X. O dearest Jesus, taken down from the 
cross, and by thy virgin Mother bathed with 
tears of most bitter sorrow ; have mercy 
on ns. 

R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

XL O dearest Jesns, shrouded with stripes, 
marked with five wounds, embalmed with 
spices, and laid in the sepulchre ; have mercy 
on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy 
on us. 

V. Surely he hath borne our infirmities, 
R. And, carried our sorrows. 

* PRAYER. 

OGOD, who for the world's redemption 
wast pleased to be born, circumcised, 
rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the kiss 
of the traitor Judas, bound with chains, led 
like an innocent lamb to sacrifice, and shame- 
fully presented before Annas, Caiphas, Pi- 
late, and Herod, accused by false witnesses, 
beaten with whips and buffets, insulted, spit 
upon, crowned with thorns, smitten with a 



166 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



reed, blindfolded, stripped of thy garments, 
fastened with nails to the cross, and lifted up 
on high, reputed among thieves, made to 
drink of gall and vinegar, and wounded by 
a lance ; — O ! by these most sacred suffer- 
ings, which, unworthy as I am, I thus com- 
memorate, and by thy holy cross and death, 
deliver me, Lord, from the pains of hell, 
and deign to lead me where thou didst lead 
that thief who was crucified by thy side : 
thou, who with the Father and the Holy 
Ghost, livest and reignest world without end. 
Amen. 



Stye Steps of our Qavxonvs CljilMjooir. 

(An excellent Litany for Advent, and until Epiph- 
any.) 

I. O dearest Infant Jesus, from the bosom 
of the Father descending for our salvation, 
conceived of the Holy Ghost, abhorring not 
the Virgin's womb, Word made flesh, re- 
ceiving the form of a slave; have mercy 
on us. 

JR. Have mercy on us. Infant Jesus. 

II. O dearest Infant J esus, with thy Vir- 
gin Mother visiting Elizabeth, filling John 
the Baptist, thy Forerunner, with the Holy 



STEPS OF THE CHILDHOOD, ETC. 167 

Ghost, and sanctifying him while yet in his 
Mother's womb ; have mercy on us. 
R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

III. O dearest Infant Jesus, nine months 
imprisoned in the womb, anxiously expected 
by the Yirgin Mary and St. Joseph, and by 
God the Father offered fdf the world's salva- 
tion ; have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

IV. O dearest Infant Jesus, born in Beth- 
lehem of the Yirgin Mary, wrapped in swad- 
dling clothes, and laid in the nfanger, her- 
alded by Angels, and visited by Shepherds ; 
have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

V. O dearest Infant Jesus, after eight 
days wounded in thy circumcision, called by 
the glorious name of Jesus, and thus fore- 
showing both by name and blood a Saviour's 
office ; have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

VI. O dearest Infant Jesus, revealed to 
the three Wise men by a star, adored by them 
on thy Mother's bosom, and presented with 
mystical gifts of gold, frankincense, and 
myrrh ; have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

VII. O dearest Infant Jesus, presented in 
the temple by thy Virgin Mother, caressed 
in the arms of Simeon, and by Anna the 
prophetess made known to Israel ; have 
mercy on us. 



168 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

VIII. O dearest Infant Jesus, sought for 
by wicked Herod to be put to death, carried 
by Saint Joseph with thy Mother into Egypt, 
rescued from the cruel slaughter, and glori- 
fied by the fame of the martyred Innocents ; 
have mercy on us. • 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

IX. O dearest Infant Jesus, in Egypt re- 
maining with most Holy Mary, and the Holy 
Patriarch Joseph, until the death of Herod ; 
have mere/ on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

X. O dearest infant Jesus, returning back 
from Egypt to the land of Israel, wearied 
by many labors in the way, and into the 
city of Nazareth retiring to dwell ; have 
mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

XL O dearest Infant Jesus, obediently 
remaining in the holy house of Nazareth, 
there dwelling piously with thy Parents, 
and rapidly advancing in wisdom, age, and 
grace ; have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 

XII. O dearest Infant Jesus, led to Jeru- 
salem at the age of twelve, there sought for 
by thy Parents with great sorrow, but after 
three days found with joy among the Doc- 
tors ; have mercy on us. 

R. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus. 



DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 169 



V. The Word was made flesh. Alleluia. 
R. And dwelt among us. Alleluia. 

PRAYER. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Lord 
of heaven and earth, who revealest 
thyself to the humble ; grant, we beseech 
thee, that commemorating with due honor, 
and following with worthy imitation these 
most sacred mysteries of thy Son, the Infant 
Jesus, we may happily arrive at that heav- 
enly kingdom which thou hast promised to 
thy little ones ; through the same Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



©f SDojotion ta i\\t Mtsztb tHnftn 
iJkrg. 

Every true N and pious Catholic will preserve in his 
heart a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 
and this for many and most obvious reasons, among 
which are <the following : 

1. It is Mary who gave birth to Jesus Christ our 
Redeemer : she is, therefore, the true Mother of God. 
Think seriously for a moment, Christian, on these few 
words : Mary is the Mother of God. Could God 
bestow on her a nobler name, or a greater dignity ? 
G then, with what eyes will not one day Jesus look 
on those who would not honor his Blessed Mother, 
although he himself has honored her so much ! Is 

15 



170 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



there, indeed, a creature more beloved by God than 
Mary, and will you not love her whom God loves so 
much ? 

2. The holy Church of God itself teaches us de- 
votion to Mary. How many churches and altars 
have been erected in her honor, how many feasts 
instituted for her glory, how many confraternities 
and even religious orders established under her name, 
how many treasures of grace and of indulgences have 
been # attached by the Church to the practice of 
honoring Mary ! 

Has not God performed innumerable miracles 
through her intercession, as so many privileged 
places of devotion and of pilgrimage show us ? 
Have not kings and princes placed their states 
under her protection? All who truly revere Jesus 
Christ raise their voices in honor of Mary. For how 
can he honor the Son, who despises the Mother ? 

3. Mary is our hope. The Holy Church names 
her so, when she salutes her with these words ! "Hail, 
our Hope I" God refuses her nothing that she asks, 
because he is her Son. Neither will she refuse any 
thing to us, because she is our Mother. Jesus gave 
her to us for our Mother, with these words : " Wo- 
man, behold thy Son /" She is the tenderest, the 
most devoted, the most compassionate, .and most 
loving of all mothers. Are you a great sinner ? 
Do not despair of salvation on that account ; pray 
to Mary, the refuge of sinners, and you will not sink 
in the stormy waves of the sea of life. Would you 
grow in virtue, ask of Mary, the queen of saints, and 
she will certainly obtain grace for you. Are you 
troubled, call on Mary, the consoler of the unhappy, 
and you will certainly be comforted. 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 171 



" Remember, O most compassionate Virgin," St. 
Augustin exclaims," that it never was heard that any- 
one had sought for refuge under thy protection, with- 
out obtaining relief!" 

Cultivate carefully, then, in your heart, this devo- 
tion to the blessed Mother of God, and be sure that 
Mary will obtain for you great graces in return for 
the little acts of love and homage which you offer 
to her. In particular, do not neglect those devotions 
which are so well approved, and so generally prac- 
tised by devout Catholics, such as the visits to the 
Blessed Virgin, the Litany, and the Rosary. 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIEGIN. 

(For every day in the week.) 



These visits usually follow immediately after those 
to the Bl. Sacrament (p. 123). They a$e made by 
kneeling down before the altar of the Blessed Virgin 
in the church, or before any image of hers, in ivhat- 
ever place it may be, and making use devoutly of 
the following reflections and prayers. Those who 
cannot always have access to the church, ivill do well 
to keep a, small image for this purpose, in some re- 
tired part of the house. 



FOR SUNDAY. 



A fertile source of grace which it is our 
great happiness to possess, is Mary our 



172 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Mother, so rich in goods and graces, says 
St. Bernard, that there is not a man in the 
world who does not participate in them. 
We all receive of her fulness. God himself 
has filled her with grace, as the Angel said 
to her, u Hail ! full of grace !" It is not for 
herself alone, but for us also, adds St. Peter 
Chiysologus, that she received this great 
treasure of grace, so that afterwards she 
might communicate it to her devout follow- 
ers in every age. 

Prayer of St Epkrairn. 

O QUEEN of the universe, and most 
bountiful sovereign ! thou art the great 
advocate of sinners, the sure port of those 
who have suffered shipwreck, the resource 
of the world, the ransom of captives, the 
solace of the weak, the comfort of the 
afflicted, the refuge and salvation of every 
creature/ O ! full of grace ! enlighten my 
understanding, and loosen my tongue, that 
I may recount thy praises, and sing to thee 
that angelical salutation which thou dost so 
justly merit. Hail ! thou who art the peace, 
the joy, the consolation of the whole world ! 
Hail ! Paradise of delight, the sure asylum 
of all who are in danger, the source of grace, 
the mediatrix between God and man ! 

Short prayer to remember and repeat. — 
Refuge of sinners, take pity on me. 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIEGIN. 173 



(At the end of each visit, repeat the following 
prayer, in order to obtain the powerful patronage of 
the Mother of God :) 

MOST holy and immaculate Virgin, my 
Mother Mary, it is to thee, the Mother 
of my God, the Queen of the world, the ad- 
vocate, the hope, and the refuge of sinners, 
that I have recourse to-day, I, who am the 
most miserable of all. I love thee, O most 
amiable Sovereign, and for the love I bear 
thee, I promise to serve thee always, and to 
do all in my power to make others love thee 
also. I place in thee, after God, all my 
hopes. I confide my salvation to thy care. 
Accept me for thy servant, and receive me 
under thy mantle, O Mother of mercy, and 
since thou art so powerful with God, deliver 
me from all temptations, or rather obtain for 
me the strength to triumph over them until 
death. Obtain for me, I beseech thee, a 
perfect love for Jesus Christ. To thee I 
look for grace to make a good death. O my 
Mother, by the love which thou bearest to 
God, I beseech thee to help me at all times, 
and particularly at the decisive moment of 
death. Do not leave me until thou seest me 
safe in heaven, occupied in blessing thee, and 
singing thy mercies throughout eternity. 
Amen. 

15* 



174 f PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

FOR MONDAY. 

" Whoever is a little one, let him come to 
meP (Prov. ix.) Mary engages all those 
children who have need of a mother to come 
to her, as to the most tender of all mothers. 
The love of all the mothers in the world, 
says the pious Nieremberg, is no more than 
a shadow compared with that love which 
Mary bears to each one of us. My mother ! 
mother of my soul ! thou who, after God, 
lovest me, and desirest my salvation more 
than all the world beside, — O my mother, 
show thyself to be indeed a mother. 

Prayer of St Bernard, 

MOST sweet and amiable Mary, no one 
can pronounce thy name without feel- 
ing the greatest desire to love thee; and 
those who do love thee, cannot call thee to 
mind without being animated to love thee 
more. Pray for us to thy divine Son, that 
he may vouchsafe to strengthen our weak- 
ness : no one is better entitled to speak in 
our favor to thy God, and ours, than thyself, 
who art the nearest to him. Intercede, then, 
for us, O blessed Mother, because thy Son 
hears thee, and thou canst obtain whatever 
thou wilt ask. 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 175 



Short prayer, &c. — O Mary, obtain for me 
the grace to have constant recourse to thee. 

» : (Conclude as on page 1*73.) 
FOR TUESDAY. 

O sweetest, most compassionate, and most 
amiable Sovereign ! with what tender confi- 
dence St. Bernard inspires me, when I have 
recourse to thee ! Thou dost not examine, 
he says, the merits of each one that has re- 
course to thy goodness, but thou dost prom- 
ise help to all who will pray to thee. Thou 
wilt hear me willingly, therefore, if I pray. 
Behold, then, my petition ! Listen : I am a 
poor sinner, and deserve a thousand hells. I 
desire, however, to change my life ; I wish 
to love that God whom I have so much of- 
fended. I consecrate myself to thy service, 
I give myself to thee, all miserable as I am. 
O then, save now a penitent who is thine, 
and no more his own. O my Queen, hast 
thou heard me % Indeed, I hope thou hast 
both heard and answered me. 

Prayer of St. Germain. 

MOST holy Virgin ! who art the greatest 
consolation that I receive from God; 
thou who art the heavenly dew which as- 
suages all my pains ; thou who art the light 
of my soul when it is enveloped in darkness ; 



176 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



thou who art my guide in unknown paths, 
the support of my weakness, my treasure in 
poverty, my remedy in sickness, my comfort 
in trouble, my refuge in misery, and the*hope 
of my salvation : hear my supplications, have 
pity on me as becomes the Mother of so 
good a God, and obtain for me the favorable 
reception of all my petitions at the throne of 
mercy. 

Short prayer, dkc> — O merciful ! O pious ! 



St. Bernard says, that Mary is that celes- 
tial ark which will surely save us from the 
wreck of eternal damnation, if we only take 
refuge there in time. The ark which saved 
Noe from the universal deluge was the type 
of Mary ; but, says Hesychius, Mary is an ark 
more vast, more powerful, and more chari- 
table. The ark of Noe could only receive 
the few men and animals who were saved in 
it, but Mary receives and saves with cer- 
tainty all those who take refuge under her 
mantle. How unhappy should we be if we 
had not Mary ; but, O my Queen, how many 
men are lost ! And why ? Because they do 
not have recourse to thee. Who would ever 
be lost that had recourse to thee? 




(Conclude as on page 173.) 



FOR WEDNESDAY. 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 177 

Prayer of St. Anselm^ 

HELP ns, O queen of mercy, without 
regarding the multitude of our sins. 
Remember that our Creator took of thee a 
human body, not to condemn, but to s^ve 
sinners. Hadst thou been chosen to be the 
Mother of God for thy own benefit alone, 
thou mightest then be said to have no par- 
ticular interest in our salvation ; but God 
clothed himself in thy flesh for the sake of 
all mankind. Help us, therefore, and pro- 
tect us. Thou knowest the need which we 
have of thy assistance, and we earnestly re- 
commend ourselves to thy prayers. Pray 
that we may not be eternally lost, but with 
thee may love and serve Jesus Christ for- 
ever. 

Short prayer, c&c. — O Mary, all my hopes 
are placed in thee. 

(Conclude as on page 173.) 

FOR THURSDAY. 

What comfort I find in my troubles, how 
I am consoled in my sorrows, what strength 
I find in my temptations, when I think of 
thee, and call thee to my aid, O my sweet 
and holy mother, Mary ! O Saints of Para- 
dise, you had great reason to give to my 
Sovereign those beautiful names of " Harbor 
of the Afflicted," like St. Ephrem ; " Eemedy 



178 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

of our Misery," and " Consolation of the Un- 
happy," like St. Bonaventura; "End of our 
Tears," like St. Germain. Dear Mary, con- 
sole me, then, for I see myself all covered 
with sins, and surrounded by enemies, with- 
out virtue, and grown cold in the love of 
God. Comfort me, comfort me ! Bring me 
the consolation which springs from the be- 
ginning of a new life, a life truly pleasing to 
thy Son, and to thee. 

Prayer of St. John Damascen. 

HAIL, Mary! thou hope of Christians. 
Hear the petition of a sinner who 
wishes to love thee with the greatest tender- 
ness, and to honor thee as thou deservest, 
and who reposes in thee, next after God, his 
hope of salvation. Indebted as I am to thee 
for the preservation of my life, I entreat thee 
to restore me to the grace of thy divine Son. 
Thou art the surest pledge of my salvation: 
deliver me then, by thy prayers, from the 
heavy load of my sins. Disperse the dark- 
ness of my understanding ; banish every in- 
ordinate affection from my heart; repress 
the temptations of my spiritual enemies, and 
so order my life, that, under thy protection, 
I may arrive at eternal repose in heaven. 

Short prayer, &c. — Change me, Mary, my 
Mother ; thou canst do it. 

(Conclude as on page 173.) 



i 



VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 179 



FOR FRIDAY. 

St. Bernard assures us that the charity of 
Mary towards us could not be more tender, 
nor more powerful than it is, for her heart 
is always full of compassion for us, and her 
good-will is accompanied with power to help 
us. So then, most pure and virgin Queen, 
thou art rich in power, and rich in compas- 
sion. Thou art both able and desirous to 
save us all. I will pray to thee to-day and 
always, in the words of the devout Blosius : 
O my Sovereign, protect me in my combats, 
fortify me in my weakness. O most holy 
Mary, in this great contest which I sustain 
against hell, aid me always : but if ever thou 
seest me wavering and ready to yield, O my 
Sovereign, stretch out thy hand to me with- 
out delay, and sustain me still more power- 
fully. O God, what temptations still remain 
to be surmounted until death ! Ah ! Mary, 
my refuge, my strength, and my hope, never 
permit that I should lose the grace of God, 
for I am resolved, in all my temptations, to 
have always immediate recourse to thee. 

Prayer of St. Bernard. 

REMEMBER, Mary, that it never was 
heard of, that a sinner had fled to thy 
protection, and been abandoned by thee. O 
Mother of God, thou pray est for all ; pray, 



180 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



then, for me, who am the greatest of sinners, 
and therefore have the greatest need of thy 
intercession. 

Short prayer, <&c. — Help me, Mary ! Mary ! 
help me ! 

{Conclude as on page 173.) 



FOR SATURDAY. 

The blessed Amadeus says that Mary, our 
most glorious Queen, remains continually in 
the presence of God, as our advocate, inter- 
posing in our favor the assistance of her 
prayers, which are all-powerful before him. 
For, he continues, she sees our miseries and 
our dangers, and in her clemency, this amia- 
ble Sovereign has pity on us, and comes to 
our aid with a mother's love. O my advo- 
cate, and my most tender mother, it is then 
true that thou seest the miseries of my soul, 
the dangers by which I am surrounded, and 
that thou prayest for me. Pray, yes, pray 
on, and do not cease to pray, until you see 
me safe in Paradise, there occupied in prais- 
ing thee. The pious Blosius assures me that 
thou art, after Jesus, the sure salvation of 
those who are thy faithful servants. Ah! 
the grace which I ask of thee to-day is, that 
thou wilt grant to me the happiness to be 
thy faithful slave until death, in order that 



THE ROSARY. 



181 



after death I may go to bless thee in heaven, 
certain there to be'no more exposed to stray 
away from thy sacred feet, so long as God is 
God. 

Prayer of St. Ildefonsus. 

OMY Sovereign, and Mother of my God, 
thou art blessed amongst all women, 
pure amongst all virgins, and queen of all the 
heavenly host : all nations call thee blessed. 
Vouchsafe that I may publish as much as 
possible thy greatness, that I may love thee 
to the utmost of my power, and that I may 
serve thee with all the capacity of my soul. 

Short prayer, c&o. — O that I may learn to 
praise thee, most sacred Yirgin ! 

(Conclude as on page 173.) 



Stye Hosarg of % BiiBBtb tttrgm. 

(Otherwise called " the Beads") 

The Rosary is one of the most beautiful, most 
profitable, and most popular of all devotions. It 
was revealed to St. Dominic by the divine Mother 
herself, about the beginning of the thirteenth cen- 
tury, and has continued ever since to be so general 
16 



182 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



a favorite with all classes of the faithful,' that to 
neglect it may be attributed, in most cases, to a lack 
of piety, whilst to despise it is the sure indication of 
an uncatholic spirit. 

The Rosary, when practised in the most perfect 
manner, consists of two distinct modes of prayer 
joined together in one exercise. It is a combination 
of mental prayer, or meditation, with vocal prayer. 
The meditation is made by the consideration of the 
most memorable and touching " mysteries" or events 
in the life, passion, and victory of Jesus Christ our 
Redeemer. The vocal prayer consists of the recita- 
tion, on the beads, of the Lord's Prayer, the Hail 
Mary, and the Gloria Patri, or Doxology. 

The Mysteries to be meditated are 15 in number, 
and divided into 3 parts, which are named the 5 
joyful, the 5 sorrowful, and the 5 glorious mysteries. 
The rosary-beads on which the vocal prayers are re- 
cited are also divided, in a corresponding manner, 
into 3 parts, and each part into 5 decades (or tens), 
each decade consisting of 1 bead for the Pater, and 
10 for the Aves. The Gloria at the end of every 
decade is recited on the same bead as the Pater 
which begins the decade that follows. 

The Chaplet, or, as it is sometimes called, " the 
Rosary of 5 decades," constitutes only a third part 
of the full rosaiy, and is the common form in which 
the beads are made and used at the present day, it 
not being usual to recite more than one part at a 
time. 

INDULGENCES. 

The indulgences attached to the recitation of the 
Rosaiy are of two kinds, viz. : the ordinary indul- 



THE ROSARY. 



183 



gences, and those (so called) of St. Bridget. Among 
these indulgences, the principal are the following : 

1st. Those who are accustomed to recite weekly 
the Chaplet, or Rosary of 5 decades, blessed in the 
ordinary manner, gain an indulgence of 100 days 
each time. 

2d. If the Rosary has been blessed by a Priest 
authorized to give the Bridgetine indulgences, one 
gains, for every time he recites the 5 decades, an in- 
dulgence of 100 days for each bead. The Rosaries 
blessed during the mission receive these as well as 
the ordinary indulgences. 

N. B. — Those who are not capable of meditating 
the mysteries, may gain the above indulgences by 
simply saying their beads with piety. 



A METHOD OF SAYING THE ROSARY, 
WITH THE MYSTERIES. 
{By St. Alphonms Liguori.) 

Taking your beads in your right hand, by the 
medal or cross, bless yourself, and say, "In the 
name of the Father," &c. Then recite, by way of 
introduction, the Creed, 1 Pater, 3 Aves, and 1 
Gloria ; after which, you go on with the meditation 
of the mysteries, and the recitation of the decades, 
as follows : 

THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES. 
I. 

THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGEL. 

In this mystery we contemplate how the 



184 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

blessed Virgin Mary received from the Arch- 
angel Gabriel the news that she should con- 
ceive and bring forth into the world onr 
Lord Jesus Christ. O, the tender pity of our 
God, who might have saved us by sending 
an angel to redeem us, but chose rather to 
come himself, and to die for our salvation ! 
But, alas ! where is the gratitude of men, 
where is that return of love we owe to a God 
so full of mercy ? Holy Mother of God, so 
full always of love to Jesus Christ, who be- 
came thy Son that he might deliver us from 
hell, obtain for us the grace to love him also 
with all our heart. 

Then say on your beads 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 
Gloria, in honor of the divine Mother t and to obtain 
this holy love of God. 

ii. 

the visitation. 

In this mystery we contemplate how the 
blessed Yirgin Mary, having learned that St. 
Elizabeth her cousin was with child, set out 
immediately to visit her, and remained with 
her three months. The visit of Mary was 
the source of grace to this whole family. 
Happy indeed is every soul which Mary 
deigns to visit ! Let us pray, then, to our 
dear Lady, that she will be pleased to visit 
our souls, to sanctify and save them. 



THE ROSARY. 



185 



Pray now to this intention, 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 
1 Gloria, on your beads. 

in. 

THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD. 

In this mystery we contemplate how the 
Virgin Mary brought forth our Redeemer, at 
midnight, in the stable of Bethlehem, between 
two animals of the stall. When the time of 
her delivery arrived, Mary was in the city of 
Bethlehem, but being very poor, was unable 
to procure any lodging, so that she was 
obliged to take shelter in a grotto, which 
was used as a stable for cattle, and there she 
gave birth to the Son of God, and laid him 
on a bed of straw in the manger. It pleased 
our Lord Jesus Christ to come into the world 
in the form of a babe, and in a manger, in 
order that sinners might have more confidence 
to approach him. Sinners then that we are, 
let us take courage, and beseech the blessed 
Virgin to obtain for us a true and unchang- 
ing confidence in the mercy of her Son, our 
Redeemer. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on tlie beads. 

IV. 



THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. 

In this mystery we contemplate how, forty 
days after the birth of our Lord, the blessed 
Virgin, that she might fulfil the precept of 
16* 



186 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



the purification, offered her divine Son in the 
temple, and placed him in the arms of the 
aged Simeon. Mary had no need to be puri- 
fied, because she was always free from stain ; 
but in order to obey the law, and through 
humility, she went to be purified, and to 
appear sullied, like other women. Since 
then, Mary, who w^as so pure, was not ashamed 
to appear as if she needed to be purified, how 
shall we ever be ashamed to confess our sins ? 
Let us pray to the blessed Virgin while we 
recite this next decade, that she will help us 
always to overcome every repugnance to con- 
fess our sins. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. 
v. 

THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE. 

In this mystery we contemplate how Mary, 
having lost her Son, sought for him during 
three days, and found him again the third 
day, disputing in the midst of the doctors. 
The blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, having 
gone to Jerusalem to visit the temple, took 
with them the little child Jesus, then only 
twelve years old. On their return, they lost 
him. For three days, then, they sought after 
him, with many sighs and tears, and found 
him at last in the temple. Mary never lost 
the grace of her Son, but only his presence, 
and nevertheless, she sought after him with 



THE ROSARY. 



187 



tears. O, how much greater reason the sin- 
ner has to search for J esus Christ, and that 
with many tears, when he has lost his grace ! 
Whoever seeks for him in this way will find 
him surely. Let us pray, then, to the blessed 
Virgin for so many poor sinners who have 
lost Jesus Christ, that she may obtain for them 
a true sorrow for their sins. 

Recite 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the 
beads ; and then conclude with the following prayer : 

PRAYER. 

OGOD ! whose only begotten Son, by his 
life, death, and resurrection, has pur- 
chased for us the rewards of eternal life : 
grant, we beseech thee, that while we medi- 
tate upon these mysteries in the most holy 
Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may 
imitate what they contain, and obtain what 
they promise : through the same Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



THE FIVE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES. 

In the name of the Father, &c. 
The Creed, 1 Pater, 3 Aves, 1 Gloria. 



188 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



I. 

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN. 

In the first sorrowful mystery, we contem- 
plate how Jesus Christ sweat drops of blood, 
when praying in the Garden of Olives. 

Our Lord was seized with such great sad- 
ness in the Garden of Olives that, as he said, 
it was enough to take away his life. "My 
soul is sorrowfitl even unto death." What 
was it, then, afflicted J esus Christ so much in 
the garden ? What was it made him sweat 
those drops of blood ? It was the sight of our 
sins that caused him this cruel agony. Let us 
unite our sorrow with that of Jesus Christ. 
Let us beseech the Blessed Yirgin to obtain 
for us such a true and lasting sorrow for our 
sins, that we may never more give our 
Saviour any cause to weep for us. 

Then say on your beads 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 
Gloria. 

ii. 

the scourging at the pillar. 

In the second sorrowful mystery, we con- 
template how Jesus was cruelly scourged in 
the house of Pilate, where, according to the 
revelation made to St. Bridget, he received 
more than 6000 blows. This scourging was 
so cruel, that his sacred Body became like a 
leper's ; that is to say, one continual wound 



THE ROSARY. 



189 



from head to foot, according to the prophecy 
of Isaias, "And we have thought him as it 
were a leper" The doctors assure us that 
Jesus Christ was pleased to suffer this great 
punishment, especially to satisfy for the sins 
of men against chastity. Alas ! alas ! the 
impurities of sinners are the scourges which 
made our Saviour suffer. O ! let us pray to 
the Blessed Virgin to deliver us from this 
vice which makes hell so full, and to aid us 
in the time of temptation. 

Recite 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the 
beads. 

HI. 

THE CROWNING WITH THORNS. 

In the third sorrowful mystery, we contem- 
plate how Jesus Christ was crowned with 
thorns, and treated like a mock king. After 
having been scourged, he was made to sit 
upon a stone step'; they put a reed in his 
hand to represent a sceptre, a rag upon his 
shoulders for a royal mantle, and on his head, 
in place of a crown, a wreath of thorns, which 
they struck with canes to make them pene- 
trate. The soldiers then insulted him, saying, 
"Hail ! King of the Jews" and buffeted 
him. Sinners do the same ; for they confess, 
but scarcely risen from the feet of their con- 
lessor, they go home from the church to give 
Jesus Christ new blows in the face. Let 



190 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



us beseech the Blessed Virgin to obtain for 
us that we may die sooner than ever offend 
our Lord any more. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the heads. 

IV. 

THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS. 

In the fourth sorrowful mystery, we con- 
template how J esus Christ, having been con- 
demned to death by Pilate, was made to bear 
the cross upon his shoulders. "With great 
affection, Jesus embraced this cross, to satisfy 
for our sins. It is therefore just that we, in 
our turn, to satisfy for the offences which we 
have given him, should embrace the crosses 
which God sends us. Let us pray Mary to 
obtain tor us a holy spirit of resignation, and 
patience under every trial. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. 
v. 

THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD. 

In the fifth sorrowful mystery, we contem- 
plate how Jesus Christ, having come to the 
hill of Calvary, was stripped, and nailed to 
the cross, where he died for love of us, in the 
presence of Mary, his afflicted Mother. Con- 
sider what a bitter death our Saviour suffered 
to purchase our love. Let us keep by us 
always some beautiful image of Jesus cruci- 



THE ROSARY. 



191 



fied, and, often looking at it, let us say to 
him : I love thee, my Jesus, because thou 
hast died for me. Now, let us pray that 
afflicted Mother Mary to obtain for us the 

frace to think often of the dying love of 
esus Christ for us. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria on the beads ; and 
then conclude with the same Prayer given at the end 
of the Joyful Mysteries, page 187. 



THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES. 

In the name of the Father, &c. 
The Creed, 1 Pater, 3 Aves, and 1 Gloria. 
% 

rHE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD. 

In the first glorious mystery, we contem- 
plate how, the third day after his death, 
Jesus rose again triumphant and glorious to 
die no more. Consider the glory of our Re- 
deemer when he arose from the sepulchre, 
after having vanquished Satan, and delivered 
the human race, which he held in bondage. 
O ! how great is the folly of the sinner, who, 
having been delivered once from the power 



192 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

of the devil, is willing to become his slave 
again for some wretched gain, or for the pass- 
ing pleasures of this world. Let us pray the 
Virgin Mary to unite us so closely by love to 
Jesus Christ, that we may never again by a 
mortal sin become the slave of Lucifer. 

Say on your beads for this intention, 1 Pater, 10 
Aves, and 1 Gloria. 

ii. 

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD INTO HEAVEN. 

In the second glorious mystery, we con- 
template how Jesus Christ, forty days after 
his resurrection, ascended into heaven in tri- 
umph, in the sight of his Mother, and of his 
disciples. Before Jesus Christ died for us, 
Paradise was closed against us : but by his 
death, Jesus has opened it for all those who 
love him. Ah ! what a pity, that after our 
Saviour has suffered so much to obtain this 
Paradise, this happy kingdom for us, so many 
foolish sinners should renounce it, and give 
themselves up to hell, for a worthless plea- 
sure, for a mere nothing. Let us beseech 
our dear Lady to obtain for us the light to 
see clearly how miserable are the goods of 
this world, and how great the delight which 
God offers in the world to come, to those who 
love him. 



1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. 



THE ROSARY. 



193 



III. 

THE MISSION OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

In the third glorious mystery, we contem- 
plate how Jesns Christ, seated at the right 
hand of his Father, sent down the Holy 
Ghost to the chamber where the apostles 
with the Virgin Mary were assembled. Be- 
fore receiving the Holy Ghost, the apostles 
were so feeble, so cold in the love of God, 
that at the time of Jesns' passion, one betray- 
ed him, another denied him, and all aban- 
doned him. But as soon as they had all 
received the Holy Ghost, they were so much 
inflamed with love, that they gave up their 
lives generously for Jesus Christ. St. Augus- 
tin says, u He who loves does not labor P He 
who loves God feels no affliction under crosses, 
but rejoices rather. Let us ask of Mary to 
obtain for us from the Holy Ghost the gift of 
his divine love, for then all the crosses of 
this life will seem sweet to us. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. 

IV. 

THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR BLESSED LADY. 

In the fourth glorious mystery, we contem- 
plate how Mary, twelve years after the resur- 
rection of Jesus Christ, departed this life, 
and was carried up by angels to heaven. 
The death of Mary was full of peace and 
consolation, because her lite had been all 
17 



194: PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



holy. Our death will not be like hers, for 
our sins will be then a subject of alarm. But 
if we abandon our sins, and consecrate our- 
selves to the service of Mary, then that 
good Mother w T ill succor and comfort us in 
that last moment, as she has done already 
to so many of her faithful servants. Let us 
place ourselves, then, under her protection, 
with the firm purpose to amend our lives, 
and let us ask her now to assist us in the 
hour of our death. 

1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. * 
v. 

THE CORONATION OF OUR BLESSED LADY. 

In the fifth glorious mystery, we contem- 
plate how Mary was crowned by her divine 
Son, and we contemplate her glory among 
the saints. When Mary was crowned in hea- 
ven by the hand of God, she was appointed 
also to be our advocate : for this reason, St. 
Amadeus says, that she prays for us inces- 
santly. It is true that Mary prays for all 
men, but she prays especially for those who 
have recourse confidently to her intercession. 
Let us love then to say over and over again 
with St. Philip Neri : Mary, Mother of God, 
pray to Jesus for us; and while we recite 
this last decade of the Rosary, let us repeat 
with fervor those words of the holy Church, 
Holy Ma?y, Mother of God, pray for us ! 



THE ROSARY. 



195 



Recite 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the 
beads, and then conclude, as before, at the end of 
the Joyful Mysteries, page 187. 



ANOTHER SHORT AND EASY METHOD OF SAY- 
ING THE BEADS WITH THE MYSTERIES. 

Another very good method of reciting the Rosary 
with the Mysteries, is to express the mystery appro- 
priate to each decade in the middle of each Ave, 
immediately after the name of Jesus. 

The following is an example of this method : Be- 
gin as usual with the sign of the cross, and recite 
the Creed, the Pater, the three Aves, and the Glo- 
ria, and then go on with the recitation of the de- 
cades, as follows : 

When you make use of the Five Joyful Myste- 
ries, say the Aves of the first decade in this manner : 
" Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee ; 
blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the 
fruit of thy womb, Jesus, whom thou didst conceive 
at the message of an angel : Holy Mary, Mother of 
God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of 
our death. Amen." In the second decade, instead 
of the words, "whom thou didst conceive, &e." say, 
"whom thou didst carry in thy womb on thy visit 
to Elizabeth." In the third decade, " who was born 
of thee at Bethlehem." In the fourth, " whom thou 
didst present in the temple" In the fifth, "whom 
thou didst find in the temple." Having thus re* 
cited the five decades, end with the same prayer 
given in the other method. (See page 187.) 

When you select for your devotion the Sorrow- 



196 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

ful Mysteries, say in the middle of each Ave of 
the first decade, " who sweat blood for us in the gar- 
den" In the second decade, " who was scourged 
for us" In the third, " who was crowned with 
thorns for us" In the fourth, " who carried his 
cross for us. 11 In the fifth, " who was crucified 
for us" . 

For the Glorious Mysteries, in the first decade, 
say, " who arose from the dead." In the second, 
" who ascended into heaven" In the third, " who 
sent the Holy Ghost." In the fourth, " who took 
thee up into heaven" In the fifth, " who crowned 
thee Queen of heaven." 

This method is perhaps the best of all, especially 
for those who recite their Rosary often, and alone, 
because it requires no book, and helps to keep the 
mind constantly fixed on the mystery to be medi- 
tated. 



Stye Cxtang of t\)t Blmeir titrgm. 

(Called also the Litany of Loretto.) 



KYRIE eleison. 

Christe eleison. 

Kyrie eleison. 

Christe audi nos. 
Christe exaudi nos. 



LOED, have mercy 
upon ns. 

Christ, have mercy 
upon us. 

Lord, have mercy up- 
on us. 

Christ, hear us. 

Christ, graciously 
hear us. 



LITANY OF LORETTO. 



197 



Pater de coelis Dens, 
miserere nobis. 

Fili Redemptor mun- 
di Deus, miserere 
nobis. 

Spiritus Sancte Deus, 
miserere nobis. 

Sancta Trinitas, unus 
Deus, miserere no- 
bis. 

Sancta Maria, ora 

pro nobi$. 
Sancta Dei Gene- 

trix, 

Sancta Virgo Vir- 

ginum, 
Mater Christi, 
Mater divinse gra- 
tis, 

Mater purissima, 
Mater castissima, 

Mater inviolata, 
Mater intemerata, 
Mater ainabilis, 

Mater admirabi- 
lis, 

Mater Creatoris, 
17* 



God, the Father of 
heaven, have mercy 
upon us. 

God the Son, Redeem- 
er of the world, 
have mercy upon 
us. 

God, the Holy Ghost, 

have mercy upon us. 
Holy Trinity, one 

God, have mercy 

upon us. 
Holy Mary, pray for 

us. 

Holy Mother of 

God, 
Holy Virgin of 

Virgins, 
Mother of Christ, 
Mother of divine 

grace, 
Mother most pure, 
Mother most 

chaste, 
Mother undefiled, 
Mother inviolate, 
Mother most ami- 
able, 
Mother most ad- 
mirable, 
Mother of our 
Creator, 



198 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Mater Salvatoris, 

Virgo prudentis- 

sima, 
Virgo veneranda, 

Virgo praedican- 
da, 

Virgo potens, 

Virgo elemens, 

Virgo fidelis, 

Speculum justi- 
tiae, 

Sedes sapientiae, 
Causa nostrae laeti- 
tiae, 

Vas spiritual e, 
Vas honorabile, 
Vas insigne devo- 

tionis,- 
Rosa mystica, 
Turris Davidica, 
Turris eburnea, 
Domus aurea, 
Foederis area, 

Janua coeli, 
Stella matutina, 



Mother of our Re- " 
deemer, 

Virgin most pru- 
dent, 

Virgin most ven- 
erable, 

Virgin most re- 
nowned, 

Virgin most 
powerful, 

Virgin most mer- 
. ciful, 

Virgin most faith- 
ful, ' 
Mirror of justice, 

Seat of wisdom, 
Cause of our joy, 

Spiritual vessel, 
Vessel of honor, 
Vessel of singular 

devotion, 
Mystical rose, 
TWer of David, 
Tower of ivory, 
House of gold, 
Ark of the cove- 
nant, 
Gate of heaven, 
Morning star, 



LITANY OF 



LORETTO. 



199 



Sains infirmorum, ' 

Eefugiuni pecca- 
torum, 

Consolatrix afflic- 
torum, 

Auxilium Chris- 
tianorum, 

Eegina Angelo- 
rum, 

Eegina Patriarch- 
arum, 

Eegina Prophet- 
arum, 

Eegina Apostolo- 
rum, 

Eegina martyrum, 

Eegina Confesso- 
rum, 

Eegina Yirginum, 

Eegina Sancto- 
rum omnium, 

Eegina sine labe 
concepta, 

Agnus Dei, qui to' 
peccata mundi, 
parce nobis Domi- 
ne. 

Agnus Dei, qui tollis 
peccata mundi, au- 
di nos Domine. 



lis 



Health of the * 

weak, 
Eefuge of sinners, 

Comfortress of the 
afflicted, 

Help of Chris- 
tians, 

Queen of Angels, 

Queen of Patri- 
archs, 

Queen of Proph- 
ets, 

Queen of Apos- 
tles, 

Queen of martyrs, 
Queen of confes- 
sors, 

Queen of virgins, 
Queen of all 

saints, 
Queen conceived 

without sin, 
Lamb of God, who 

takest away the sins 

of the world, spare 

us, Lord. 
Lamb of God, who 

takest away the sins 

of the world, hear 

us* Lord. 



200 PARTICULAR 



DEVOTIONS. 



Agnus Dei, qui tollis 
peccata mundi, mi- 
serere nobis. 

Y. Ora pro nobis 
Sancta Dei Gene- 
trix. 

It. Tit digni efficia- 
mur promissioni- 
bus Christi. 

Oremus. 

GKATIAM tuam, 
quaesumus Do- 
mine, mentibus nostris 
infunde; ut qui, an- 

felo nuntiante, Christi 
'ilii tui incarnatio- 
nem cognovimus, per 
passionem ejus et cru- 
cem ad resurrectionis 

floriam perducamur : 
'er eundem Christum 
Dominum nostrum. 
Amen. 



Lamb of God, who 
takest away the sins 
of the world, have 
mercy upon us. 

Y. Pray for us, O 
holy Mother of 
God. 

JR. That we may be 
made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

Let us pray. 

POUE forth, we 
beseech thee, O 
Lord, thy divine grace 
into our hearts, that 
we to whom the in- 
carnation of Christ thy 
Son was made known 
by the message of an 
angel, may by his 
passion and cross be 
brought to the glory 
of his resurrection ; 
through the same 
Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 



THE SCAPULAR. 



201 



THE PRAYER OF SAINT BERNARD, " MEMORARE." 

REMEMBEE, O most merciful Virgin 
Mary, that it is unheard of, that any one 
flying to thee for protection, imploring thy 
help, or seeking thy intercession, was ever 
forsaken. Animated by this unerring confi- 
dence, I hasten to thee, Virgin of Virgins ; I 
fly to thee, O sweet Mother ; a wretched sin- 
ner, I prostrate myself groaning at thy feet ; 
despise not my prayer, O Mother of the 
Divine Word, but graciously hear and grant 
the same. Amen. 



THE SCAPULAE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN 
MARY. 

Just as men love to have their servants wear 
their livery, so Mary loves to see her servants wear 
her Scapular, to show their tender devotion to her, 
and that they belong to her family. Heretics, ac- 
cording to their fashion, laugh at this devotion, but 
the Holy Church has approved it by bulls and in- 
dulgences. It is related that, about the year 1251, 
the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, an 
English Carmelite, and giving him this scapular, as- 
sured him that all who should die invested with it, 
would be saved from eternal fire. This vision is so 
well attested, that Pope Benedict XIV. does not 
hesitate to say, " We believe this vision to be true, 



202 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



and think it ought to be so considered by every 
one." No wonder, then, that this beautiful devotion 
has become so widely spread, and continues to flour- 
ish throughout the Catholic Church. 

ADVANTAGES OF THE SCAPULAR. 

The advantages and* privileges of this devotion are 
very great. 

1. In the first place, it is not only the badge of 
our love and veneration for the holy Mother of God, 
but a sweet pledge of her protection. It entitles us 
to the benefit of her promise above mentioned, so 
that, if we wear it faithfully, Mary will surely assist 
us to persevere in the grace of God, and give us 
her most special and powerful protection in the hour 
of death. 

2. By wearing the scapular, we participate in all 
the good works of the Carmelite order, as is ex- 
pressed in the formula of the reception, which says : 
" In virtue of the power intrusted to me, I receive 
and admit you to the full participation of all the 
prayers, penances, suffrages, alms, watchings, masses, 
offices, and other spiritual duties, which are per- 
formed day and night, in every part of the world, 
through the mercy of Jesus Christ, by all the Reli- 
gious of the holy order of Mount Carmel." 

3. By means of it we may gain many most valu- 
able indulgences, among which are the following : 

INDULGENCES. 

A plenary indulgence on the day of receiving it ; 
and another on the Feast of our Lady of Mount 
Carmel, July 16, upon the usual conditions of con- 



THE SCAPULAR. 



203 



fession and communion on those days, and praying 
for the ordinary intentions of the Church. A ple- 
nary indulgence also at the article of death, provided 
we pronounce, at least with the heart, if we cannot 
with the mouth, the holy name of Jesus. There is 
also an indulgence of one hundred days for every 
time we lodge a poor person or give him alms in his 
necessity, or perform some other work of mercy, and 
one of forty days for those who recite every day 7 
Paters and 7 Aves in honor of the Blessed Virgin. 
All these indulgences are applicable to the souls in 
Purgatory. 

SABBATINE INDULGENCE. 

The holy Mother of God appearing once to Pope 
John XXII. in a vision, accorded a further and most 
precious privilege to those who wear the Scapular. 
This is what goes usually by the name of the Sab- 
batine Indulgence, and mention is made of it in the 
Koman Breviary. " It is not only in this life," so 
says the Breviary, " that the blessed Virgin Mary 
shows herself favorable to her children of Mount 
Carmel ; it is also in the life to come, for her power 
and her goodness extend everywhere. All those 
who, wearing the Scapular, are careful to recite the 
few prayers prescribed, and preserve their chastity 
according to their state of life, may piously hope 
that, should they have to suffer the fire of Purgatoiy, 
Mary will come to console them in her maternal 
tenderness, and cause them very soon to enter their 
heavenly country." This happy release may be 
looked for on the Saturday next after death. 



204 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



THE DUTIES TO BE FULFILLED. 

The only obligation, properly speaking, attached 
to the Scapular, is to wear it constantly with devo- 
tion. 

The obligations or duties (so called) of abstinence 
on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or of prayers substi- 
tuted in the place of this, are only imposed as neces- 
sary conditions to gain the Sabbatine indulgence. 
Any one neglecting to fulfil these conditions com- 
mits no sin thereby, nor does he forfeit the other pri- 
vileges of the Scapular, or lose his title to the other 
indulgences. 

REMARKS. 

1. To be received, in the first place, into the con- 
fraternity, and entitled to its privileges, it is neces- 
sary to be invested by a priest duly authorized, and 
(unless there should be some special privilege to the 
contrary) to be inscribed upon the register. 

2. When the first is worn out, or lost, or has been 
laid by, another may be taken and worn, which does 
not need to be blessed again. 

3. It is not enough to carry the Scapular in the 
pocket, around the waist, or on the arm. It must 
be worn about the neck ; but it makes no difference 
whether over or under the dress. 

" My brethren," said St. Simon Stock to all the 
children of Mount Carmel, "treasure up in your 
hearts, and think often of the promises which the 
Mother of God has made us. Labor continually to 
assure your vocation by your good works, and to 
confirm by your conduct the choice which Mary has 



DEVOTION TO THE SAINTS. 205 



made of you to be her children. Be watchful, and 
persevere in that gratitude you owe for so great a 
mercy of God in your regard. Pray without ceasing, 
that the promise which has been given me may be 
accomplished in you, to the glory of the most Holy 
Trinity, of God the Father, of Jesus Christ, his divine 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; and also of the most 
blessed Virgin Mary, whose praises and happiness all 
nations are to celebrate, according to the prophecy 
contained in the sacred Scriptures : f Behold, hence- 
forth all nations shall call me blessed P Amen." 



JDtDotbtt to % 0amt0. 

The Church militant on earth, and the Church 
triumphant in heaven, is one and the same Church, 
and unites her children all in one blest family. The 
Saints who reign with Christ in glory are separated 
from our sight, but the communion remains un- 
broken, and the sweet intercourse of charity goes on. 
Forever secure from danger, and inundated with joy, 
they can receive nothing, it is true, from us but our 
tribute of veneration and praise. But we, on the 
other hand, can hope great things from them, for they 
are able and willing to help us, and they know our 
wants. 

They are able to help us. For if we value the 
prayers of a good man on earth, although still en- 
cumbered like ourselves by faults and miseries, how 
much more availing must be the intercession of these 
familiar friends and servants of God, who are so dear 
18 



206 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



to him, and see him always face to face ! If he has 
promised so much even to our poor prayers, how 
shall he deny any thing to them ! 

They are willing to help us. For surely, the bliss 
of Paradise has not taken away, but rather increased 
beyond measure, the holy charity and sympathy 
which burned in their hearts when on earth. 

They know our wants. They are not ignorant of 
what takes place here below. " There is joy in 
heaven upon one sinner that doth penance." S. Luke, 
xv. 7-1 0. Either the swift angels bring the tidings, 
or they read it in the smile of God, whose face they 
always behold. And when the good Christian prays, 
do they not know this also ? O yes ! in that safe 
harbor where they rest, they look back and see us all 
floating on the sea of life ; they witness our strug- 
gles, our fears, our hopes, and mingle their prayers 
with ours. 

Let us therefore honor these holy Saints, and in- 
voke them in all our necessities. This devotion is 
most acceptable to God, who is glorified in the glory 
of his Saints. " Mirabilis est Deus in Sanctis suis." 

He is the fountain from which their glory springs, 
and the infinite ocean to which it all returns. 



THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

Christ, have mercy on us. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 

Christ, hear us. 

Christ, graciously hear us. 

God, the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. 



LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 207 



God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have 

mercy on us. 
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. 
Holy Mary, Pray for us. 
Holy Mother of God, 
Holy Virgin of Yirgins, 
St. Michael, 
St. Gabriel, 
St. Raphael, 

All ye holy Angels and Archangels, 
All ye holy orders of blessed spirits, 
St. John Baptist, 
St. Joseph, 

All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, 
St. Peter, 
St. Paul, 
St. Andrew, 
St. James, 
St. John, 
St. Thomas, 
St. James, 
St. Philip, 
St. Bartholomew, 
St. Matthew, 
St. Simon, 
St. Thaddeus, 
St. Matthias, 
St. Barnaby, 
St. Luke, 
St. Mark, 

All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, 
All ye holy Disciples of our Lord, 



208 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



All ye holy Innocents, 
St. Stephen, 
St. Laurence, 
St. Vincent, 

SS. Fabian and Sebastian, 

SS. John and Paul, 

SS. Cosmas and Damian, 

SS. Gervasius and Protasius, 

All ye holy Martyrs, 

St. Sylvester, 

St. Gregory, 

St. Ambrose, 

St. Augustin, 

St. Jerom, 

St. Martin, 

St. Nicholas, 

All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, 

All ye holy Doctors, 

St. Anthony, 

St. Benedict, 

St. Bernard, 

St. Dominic, 

St. Francis, 

All ye holy Priests and Levites, 
All ye holy Monks and Hermits, 
St. Mary Magdalen, 
St. Lucy, 
St. Agnes, 
St. Cecily, 



St. Catharine, 
St. Anastasia, 

All ye holy Virgins and Widows, 




LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 209 



All ye men and women, saints of God, make 

intercession for us. 
Be merciful unto us. Spare us, Lord. 
Be merciful unto us. Graciously hear us, 

Lord. 

From all evil, Lord, deliver us. 
From all sin, 
From thy wrath, 

From sudden and unprovided death, 

From the deceits of the devil, 

From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, 

From the spirit of fornication, 

From lightning and tempest, 

From everlasting death, 

Through the mystery of thy holy incar- 
nation, 

Through thy coming, 

Through thy nativity, 

Through thy baptism and holy fasting, 

Through thy cross and passion, 

Through thy death and burial, 

Through thy holy resurrection, 

Through thy admirable ascension, 

Through the coming of the Holy Ghost 
the Comforter, 

In the day of judgment, 

We sinners, do beseech thee to hear us. 

That thou spare us, 

That thou pardon us, 

That thou vouchsafe to bring us to true 
penance, 

That thou vouchsafe to govern and pre- 
serve thy holy Church, 
18* 



210 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



That thou vouchsafe to preserve our apos- 
tolic Prelate, and all ecclesiastical Or- 
ders in holy religion, 

That thou vouchsafe to humble the ene- 
mies of the holy Church, 

That thou vouchsafe to give peace and 
true concord to Christian Kings and 
Princes, 

That thou vouchsafe to grant peace and 
unity to all Christian people, 

That thou vouchsafe to confirm and pre- 
serve us in thy holy service, 

That thou lift up our minds to heavenly 
desires, 

That thou render eternal good things to 
all our benefactors, 

That thou deliver our souls, and those of 
our brethren, kinsfolks, and benefac- 
tors, from eternal damnation, 

That thou vouchsafe to give and preserve 
the fruits of the earth, 

That thou vouchsafe to give eternal rest 
to all the faithful departed, 

That thou vouchsafe graciously to hear 
us, 

Son of God, 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, spare us, Lord. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, graciously hear us, Lord. 
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of 

the world, have mercy on us. 



LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 211 



PRAYER. 

OGOD, whose property is always to have 
mercy, and to spare, receive our peti- 
tion : that we, and all thy servants who are 
bound by the chain of sins, may by the 
compassion of thy goodness mercifully be 
absolved. 

Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the pray- 
ers of the suppliant, and pardon the sins of 
them that confess to thee ; that in thy boun- 
ty thou mayest both give us pardon and 
peace. 

Out of thy clemency, O Lord, show thy 
unspeakable mercy to us, that so thou mayest 
both acquit us of our sins, and deliver us from 
the punishments we deserve for them. 

O God, who by sin art offended, and by 
penance pacified, mercifully regard the pray- 
ers of thy people making supplication to 
thee, and turn away the scourges of thy 
anger, which we deserve for our sins. 

O Almighty and Eternal God, have mercy 
on thy servant N — , our chief Bishop, and 
direct him according to thy clemency, into 
the way of everlasting salvation ; that by thy 
grace he may desire those things that are 
agreeable to thee, and perform them with 
all his strength. 

O God, from whom are all holy desires, 
right counsels, and just works, give to thy 
servants that peace which the world cannot 



212 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



give ; that both our hearts may be disposed 
to keep thy commandments, and the fear of 
enemies being removed, the times by thy 
protection may be peaceable. 

Inflame, O Lord, our reins and hearts with 
the fire of thy Holy Spirit, that we may serve 
thee with a chaste body, and please thee with 
a clean heart. 

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all 
the faithful, give to the souls of thy servants 
departed the remission of all their sins ; that 
through pious supplications they may ob- 
tain the pardon which they have always 
desired. 

Forerun, we beseech thee, O Lord, our 
actions by thy holy inspirations, and carry 
them on by thy gracious assistance : that 
every prayer and work of ours may begin 
always from thee, and by thee be happily 
ended. 

O Almighty and Eternal God, who hast 
dominion over the living and the dead, and 
art merciful to all whom thou foreknowest 
shall be thine by faith and good works ; we 
humbly beseech thee that they, for whom 
we have determined to offer up our prayers, 
whether this world still detains them in the 
flesh, or the world to come has already re- 
ceived them out of their bodies, may by the 
clemency of thy goodness, all thy saints in- 
terceding for them, obtain pardon and full 
remission of all their sins, through our Lord 



DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH. 213 



Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reign- 
eth, &c. Amen. 

V. O Lord, hear my prayer. 
R. And let my cry come unto thee. 
V. May the Almighty and most merciful 
Lord graciously hear us. 
It. Amen. 

V. And may the souls of the faithful de- 
parted, through the mercy of God, rest in 
peace. 

It. Amen. 



©amotion to St. losrpl). 

u I do not remember," says St. Theresa, " ever to 
have asked any thing of St Joseph, until this mo- 
ment, which he did not obtain for me. One would 
be astonished were I to tell of all the numberless 
graces which God has granted me by the intercession 
of this Saint, and of the perils, both of body and 
soul, from which he has delivered me. It seems to 
be the privilege of other saints to assist us in some 
particular necessities, but experience proves that this 
Saint assists us in all, as if by this the Lord would 
have us understand that as he was pleased to be 
subject to St. Joseph while on earth, so he is resolved 
to grant all his requests in heaven. This is what 
other persons have proved, to whom I had given coun- 
sel to recommend themselves to him. Such is the 



214 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



long experience I have of the great favors which he 
obtains from God, that I would gladly persuade the 
whole world to be devout to this Saint. I have never 
known any one that rendered some special homage 
to him, w r ho has not made manifest progress in virtue. 
• For several years I have been accustomed to ask some 
favor of him on the day of his festival, and always 
I perceive that I have been heard. If any one does 
not believe it, I beg of him for the love of God, to 
make the experiment. For my part I do not know 
how any one can think of the Queen of Angels, and 
of the care which she took of Jesus in his childhood, 
without thanking St. Joseph for the succor he gave, 
during this time, to both mother and son." Life of 
St. Theresa, ch. vi. 



DEVOUT PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH. 

Choice of St. Joseph as patron. 

O BLESSED Joseph, faithful guardian of 
my Redeemer Jesus Christ, and pro- 
tector of thy chaste spouse the virgin Mother of 
God, I choose thee this day to be my especial 
patron and advocate, and I firmly resolve to 
honor thee as such from this time forth and 
always. Therefore I humbly beseech thee 
to receive me for thy client, to instruct me 
in every doubt, to comfort me in every afflic- 
tion, and finally to defend and protect me in 
the hour of death. Amen. 



DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH. 215 



For his safe-conduct, through life. 

O BLESSED Joseph, father and guide of 
Jesus Christ in his childhood and youth, 
who didst lead him safely in his flight through 
the desert, and in all the ways of his earthly 
pilgrimage, be also my companion and guide 
in this pilgrimage of life, and never permit 
me to turn aside from the way of God's com- 
mandments ; be my refuge in adversity, my 
support in temptation, my solace in affliction, 
until at length I arrive at the land of the 
living;, where with thee, and Mary thy most 
holy Spouse, and all the Saints, I may rejoice 
forever in Jesus my Lord. Amen. 

For grace to communicate devoutly. 

O BLESSED Joseph, how sweet and won- 
derful a privilege was thine, not only 
to see, but to carry in thy arms, to kiss and 
to embrace with fatherly affection that only 
begotten Son of God, whom so many Kings 
and Prophets desired to see, but were not 
able. O that, inspired by thy example and 
aided by thy patronage, I may often, with 
like feelings of love and reverence, embrace 
my Lord and Redeemer in the Blessed Sacra- 
ment of the altar, so that when my life on 
earth is ended, I may merit to embrace him 
eternally in heaven. Amen. 



216 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



For other particular graces. 

O BLESSED Joseph, since Jesus while on 
earth was subject to thee, rendered 
prompt obedience to thy commands, and 
cherished thee with most especial love and 
honor, how shall he now refuse thee any 
thing in heaven, where all thy merits receive 
their full reward ! Pray for me therefore, 

holy Patriarch, and obtain for me these 
necessary graces : first of all, that I may 
have a sincere contrition for my sins, that I 
may ever hate and fear all that is evil, and 
fly from it with firmness and constancy, es- 
pecially from my most besetting sins ; sec- 
ondly, that I may amend my life daily more 
and more, and constantly apply myself to 
the acquirement of virtue, especially those 
virtues which I need most ; and lastly, that 

1 may be kept safe amidst the various temp- 
tations and occasions, by which my soul may 
be exposed to the peril of damnation. For 
these and all other needful graces, O holy 
Joseph, I commend myself to the goodness 
and mercy of my God, and to thy fatherly 
care and intercession. Amen. 

For a happy death. 

O BLESSED Joseph, who didst yield thy 
last breath in the fond embrace of 
Jesus and of Mary, — when the seal of death 
shall close my career of life, come, holy Fa- 



DEVOTION TO THE HOLY ANGELS. 217 

ther, with Jesus and Mary to aid me, and 
obtain for me this only solace which I ask 
for in that hour, to die encircled by their 
holy arms. Into your sacred hands, living 
and dying, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I commend 
my soul. Amen. 

V. Pray for us, O most blessed Joseph. 
R. That we may be made worthy of the 
promises of Christ. 

PRAYER. 

WE beseech thee, O Lord, that we may 
be assisted by the merits of the Spouse 
of thy most Holy Mother ; so that what we 
are unable to obtain for ourselves, may be 
granted us through his intercession ; Who 
livest and reignest world without end. Amen. 



Paction to tlje $olg Angela. 

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to 
minister for them who shall receive the inheritance 
of salvation P Heb. i. 14. 

" The Angels," says St. Augustine, " love us as 
their fellow-citizens, and hope to see us fill up what 
has been lost to their own number by the fall of the 
rebel angels. For this reason they are always pres- 
19 



218 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



ent with us, and watch over us with the greatest 
care. At all times, and in every place, they are 
ready to help us, and to provide for our wants. 
They walk with us in all our ways ; going out and 
coming in, they follow us still, anxiously considering 
whether we live piously and purely in the midst of 
a wicked world. They assist those who labor ; they 
guard those who rest ; they encourage those who 
fight ; they crown those who conquer ; they rejoice 
with the joyful, and sympathize with the suffering. 
When we do well, the angels are glad, but the 
devils are sad. When we sin, the devils rejoice, but 
the angels are cheated of their joy." (Solil. cap. 
21) 

We ought, therefore, to honor these blessed spirits 
with very great reverence and affection, and to pray 
to them, especially our guardian angels, to whom 
God has given charge over us, to keep us in all our 
ways (Ps, xc), and we may be sure that this devo- 
tion will be most pleasing to them, and most useful 
to ourselves. 



THE LITANY OF THE HOLY ANGELS. 

Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear lis. 
Christ, graciously hear us. 
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. 
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have 
mercy on us. 



LITANY OF THE ANGELS. 219 



God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. 
Holy Trinity, one God, Time mercy on us. 
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us. 
St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, 

pray for us. 
St. Gabriel, messenger of the incarnation, 
St. Kaphael, faithful guide of young 

Tobias, 
Holy Seraphs, 
Holy Cherubs, 
Holy Thrones, 
Holy Dominations, 
Holy Virtues, 
Holy Powers, 
Holy Principalities, 
Holy Archangels, 
Holy Angels, 

Angels who stand around the throne of 
God, 

Angels who always see the face of 
God, 

Angels who always sing the praise of 
God, 

Angels who guard us by command of 
God, 

Angels who offer up our prayers to God, 
Angels, ministers of God, who do his 
will, 

Angels who visited 'the faithful Abra- 
ham, 

Angels who warned just Lot to fly from 
Sodom, 



220 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Angels who appeared to Jacob in a 

vision, 

Angels who gave the law of God to 

Moses, 

Angels who announced the birth of J esus 

to the shepherds, 
Angels who ministered to Jesus in the 

desert, 

Angels who sat watching in our Saviour's 
sepulchre, 

Angels who carried Lazarus to Abra- 
ham's bosom, 

Angels who rejoice over one sinner doing 
penance, 

Angels who will come with Christ to the 

judgment, 
Angels whose trumpets will awaken all 

the dead, 

Angels who will separate the wicked 
from the just, 

Angels, companions of the Saints in 
Paradise, 

O, all ye orders of blessed spirits, 

That we may be delivered from all dan- 
gers, 

That we may be delivered from the 

snares of the devil, 
That we may be delivered from all 

sin, 

That we may be delivered from sudden 

and unprovided death, 
We sinners beseech thee to hear us, O Lord. 



LITANY OF THE ANGELS. 221 



Through the intercession of thy Holy 
Angels, 

That thou spare us, 

That thou pardon us, 

That thou vouchsafe to govern and pre- 
serve thy Holy Church, 

That thou vouchsafe to grant us peace 
and unity, 

That thou vouchsafe to grant eternal 
rest to the faithful departed, 

Son of God, 

Lamb of God, &c. Our Father, &c. 

THE ANGEL PSALTER. 
(Extracted from various Psalms.) 

O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord : 
praise him and exalt him above all forever. 

Praise the Lord from the heavens : praise 
ye him in the high places. Praise him, all 
ye his angels ; praise ye him, all his hosts. 

Bless the Lord, all ye his angels, you that 
are mighty in strength, and execute his 
word, hearkening to the voice of his orders. 

Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye minis- 
ters of his that do his will. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never for- 
get all he hath done for thee. 

Who recleemeth thy life from destruction, 
who crowneth thee with mercy and compas- 
sion. 

19* 



222 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



For lie hath given his angels charge over 
thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 

In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest 
thou dash thy foot against a stone. 

Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the 
basilisk, and thou shalt trample under foot 
the lion and the dragon. 

The Angel of the Lord shall encamp round 
about them that fear him, and shall deliver 
them. 

Glory be to the Father, &c. 

Y. I will sing praise to thee, O my God, 
in the sight of the Angels. 

JR. I will worship towards thy holy temjple, 
and I w ill give glory to thy name. 

PRAYER. 

OGOD, who, in most admirable order, 
dost assign the various offices, both of 
angels and of men ; grant, we beseech thee, 
that they who always minister before thy face 
in heaven, may also defend us in this our life 
on earth. Through J esus Christ thy Son our 
Lord. Amen. 

PRAYER TO ONE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL. 

O BLESSED Angel, my guardian and 
defender, since by the kind providence 
of God I have been committed to thy care, 
I beseech thee to direct me always in the 



FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY. 223 

way of peace, safety, and salvation. Remain 
especially this day (or night) by my side, to 
defend me from all danger, and every evil 
temptation. Remember, O dearest guardian, 
how once the watchful love of God preserved 
thee with the good angels in grace and glory, 
while so many others were cast down from 
heaven for their pride. I beseech thee, 
therefore, to watch over me in this my life- 
time of trial, and bring me such efficacious 
aid from heaven, that in no danger I may 
ever fall and lose the grace of my God and 
Creator, until I come to appear before his 
face in my heavenly home ; there, with thee 
and all the saints and angels, to praise and 
adore him, through the endless ages of eter- 
nity. Amen. 

-^«+- 

JDeDotion to % $olj) Qoniz in 

(By St Alphonsus Liguori) 

The practice of recommending to God the souls 
in Purgatory, that he may mitigate the great pains 
which they suffer, and that he may soon bring them 
to his glory, is most pleasing to the Lord, and most 
profitable to us. For these blessed souls are his 
eternal spouses, and most grateful are they to those 
who obtain their deliverance from prison, or even a 



224 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

mitigation of their torments. When, therefore, they 
arrive in heaven, they will be sure to remember all 
who have prayed for them. It is a pious belief that 
God manifests to them our prayers in their behalf, 
that they also may pray for us. It is true, these 
blessed souls are not in a state to pray for them- 
selves, because they are, so to speak, criminals aton- 
ing for their faults. However, because they are very 
dear to God, they can pray for us, and obtain for us 
the divine graces. St. Katharine of Bologna, when 
she wished to obtain any grace, had recourse to the 
souls in Purgatory, and her prayers were heard im- 
mediately. She declared that, by praying to those 
holy souls, she obtained many favors, which she had 
sought through the intercession of the saints with- 
out obtaining. The graces, which devout persons 
are said to have received through these holy souls, 
are innumerable. 

But, if we wish for the aid of their prayers, it is 
just, it is even a duty to relieve them by our suf- 
frages. I say, it is even a duty ; for Christian 
charity commands us to relieve our neighbors who 
stand in need of our assistance. But who among 
all our neighbors have so great need of our help as 
these holy prisoners ? They are continually in that 
fire which torments more severely than any earthly 
fire. They are deprived of the sight of God, a tor- 
ment far more excruciating than all other pains. 
Let us reflect that among these suffering souls, are 
parents or brothers, or relations and friends, who 
look to us for succor. Let us remember, moreover, 
that, being in the condition 01 debtors for their sins, 
they cannot assist themselves. This thought should 
urge us forward to relieve them to the best of our 



FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY. 225 



ability. By assisting them we shall not only give 
great pleasure to God, but will acquire also great 
merit for ourselves. And, in return for our suffrages, 
these blessed souls will not neglect to obtain for us 
many graces from God, but particularly the grace 
of eternal life. I hold for certain that a soul de- 
livered from Purgatory by the suffrages of a Chris- 
tian, when she enters Paradise, will not fail to say to 
God: "Lord, do not suffer to be lost that person 
who has liberated me from the prison of Purgatory, 
and has brought me to the enjoyment of thy glory 
sooner than I had deserved !" 

St. Liguori then goes on to urge the faithful to 
do all in their power to relieve and liberate these 
blessed souls, by procuring masses to be said for 
them, by alms, and by their own fervent prayers. 



PRAYERS FOR THE SUFFERING SOULS IN 
PURGATORY. 

O dearest Jesus, by the bloody sweat 
which thou didst suffer in the Garden of 
Gethsemani, have mercy on these blessed 
souls. 

R. Have mercy on them, Lord, have 
mercy on them. 

O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou 
didst suffer during thy most cruel scourging, 
have mercy on them. 

R. Have mercy on them, &c. 

O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou 



226 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



didst suffer from thy most painful crown of 
thorns, have mercy on them. 

S. Have mercy on them, &c. 

O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou 
didst suffer in carrying thy cross to Calvary, 
have mercy on them. 

JS. Have mercy on them, &c. 

O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou 
didst suffer in thy most cruel crucifixion, 
have mercy on them. 

H. Have mercy on them, &c. 

O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou 
didst suffer in thy most bitter agony on the 
cross, have mercy on them. 

j??. Have mercy on them, &c. 

O dearest Jesus, by that intense pain 
which thou didst suffer in breathing forth 
thy blessed soul, have mercy on them. 

R. Have mercy on them, &c. 

Then recite the following Psalm : 

DE PROFUNDIS. 

Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O 
Lord ; Lord, hear my voice. 

Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of 
my supplication. 

If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, 
Lord, who shall stand it ? 

For with thee there is merciful forgive- 
ness ; and by reason of thy law I have wait- 
ed for thee, O Lord. 



FOE THE SOULS IN PURGATORY. 227 



My soul hath relied on his word ; my soul 
hath hoped in the Lord. 

From the morning watch even until night, 
let Israel hope in the Lord. 

Because with the Lord there is mercy, and 
with him plentiful redemption. 

And he shall redeem Israel from all his 
iniquities. 

V. Give them eternal rest, Lord. 

E, And let perpetual light shine on them. 

V. May they rest in peace. 

H. Amen, 



PRAYER. 



OGOD, the author of mercy and lover of 
the salvation of mankind, we address 
thy clemency in behalf of our brethren, re- 
lations, and benefactors who are departed this 
life, that by the intercession of Blessed Mary 
ever Virgin, and of all the Saints, thou 
wouldst receive them into the enjoyment of 
eternal happiness ; through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Now recommend yourself to the souls in Pur- 
gatory, and say : 

Blessed Souls ! we have prayed for you. 
We entreat you. who are so dear to God. and 
so sure of never losing him, to pray for us 
miserable sinners, who are in danger of being 
damned and of losing God forever. 



228 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



THE LITANY FOR A GOOD DEATH. 

LORD, have mercy on us. 
Christ, have mercy on us. 
Lord, have mercy on us. 
Christ, hear us. 

God the Father, who for our sake didst de- 
liver up thy beloved Son to death, have 
mercy on us. 

God the Son, ^ho didst mercifully submit to 
the law of death, that we may thereby 
gain eternal life, have mercy on us. 

Holy Ghost, great comforter of the dying 
Christian, have mercy on us. 

O divine Jesus ! when I shall be seized with 
rny last illness, and warned to prepare for 
the approach of my Judge, then, merciful 
Jesus, have mercy on me. 

When my eyes, darkened with the mist 
of death, shall fix their last dying 
looks on thy crucified image, 

When my pale and ghastly countenance 
shall fill others with compassion and 
terror, 

When my ears, about to close forever to 
all human discourse, shall await the 
dreadful sound of thy irrevocable sen- 
tence, 

When my feet, unable to move, shall re- 
mind me that my earthly course is 
drawing to an end. 



LITANY FOR A GOOD DEATH. 



When my imagination, disturbed with 
gloomy and frightful phantoms, shall 
till my heart with deadly horror, 

When my soul, terrified at the view of 
my sins, and agonized with fear of thy 
rigorous justice, shall struggle with 
the angel of darkness, 

When my heart, weakened and over- 
whelmed with the pains of sickness, 
shall be seized with the last agonies of 
death, and violently assailed with the 
last efforts of Satan, 

When my friends, assembled round me, 
shall compassionate my sufferings, and 
weep for my approaching dissolu- 
tion, 

When all my senses shall fail, and this 
world forever vanish from my view, 

When the symptoms of death shall ap- 
pear, and the last tears shall trickle 
down my cheeks, 

When, tortured by the pangs of death, 
and oppressed wich lengthened agony, 

When the last heavy sighs of my heart 
shall press my soul to leave my 
body, 

When my soul, fluttering at my lips, 
shall be on the point of beholding her 
Almighty Judge, 

When my soul shall at length depart 
from this valley of tears, and leave my 
body pale, cold, and hideous, 
20 



230 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

When I shall stand all alone before my 
Judge, and behold at one glance all the 
sins of my life, and all thy claims, O my 
God, on my love, then, merciful Jesus, 
have mercy on me. 

When thou shalt pronounce that awful sen- 
tence, which no human power can revoke, 
and no human art elude, then, merciful 
Jesus, have mercy on me. 

V. Through thy painful agony and precious 

death, 
H. Deliver us, Jesus. 

PRAYER. 

OGOD, who hast condemned us all to 
die, but concealed the moment and the 
hour of death; grant, that passing all the 
days of my life in justice and holiness, I may 
merit to breathe my last in the peace of a 

Sood conscience, and die in thy love : through 
esus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



Ant. Remember not, O Lord, our offences, 
nor those of our parents, and take not revenge 
on our sins. 



THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 231 



Psalm vi. Domine, ne in furore. 

Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, 
nor chastise me in thy wrath. 

Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am 
weak : heal me, Lord, for my bones are 
troubled. 

And my soul is troubled exceedingly : but 
thou, O Lord, how long ? 

Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul ; 
O save me for thy mercy's sake. 

For there is no one in death that is mind- 
ful of thee, and who shall confess to thee in 
hell? 

1 have labored in my groanings ; every 
night I will wash my bed, I will water my 
couch with my tears. 

My eye is troubled through indignation ; I 
have grown old among all my enemies. 

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; 
for the Lord hath heard the voice of my 
weeping. 

The Lord hath heard my supplication : the 
Lord hath received my prayer. 

Let my enemies be ashamed, and be very 
much troubled : let them be turned back and 
be ashamed very speedily. Glory be, &c. 

Psalm xxxi. Beati quorum. 

Blessed are they whose iniquities are for- 
given, and whose sins are covered. 



232 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath 
not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is 
no guile. 

Because I was silent my bones grew old ; 
whilst I cried out all the day long. 

For day and night thy hand was heavy 
upon me ; I am turned in my anguish whilst 
the thorn is fastened. 

I have acknowledged my sin to thee ; and 
my injustice I have not concealed. 

I said I will confess against myself in my 
injustice to the Lord, and thou hast forgiven 
the wickedness of my sin. 

For this shall every one that is holy pray 
to thee, in a seasonable time. 

And yet in a flood of many waters, they 
shall not come nigh unto him. 

Thou art my refuge from the trouble which 
hath encompassed me : my joy, deliver me 
from them that surround me. 

I will give thee understanding, and I will 
instruct thee in this way in which thou shalt 
go ; I will fix my eyes upon thee. 

Do not become like the horse and the 
mule, who have no understanding. 

"With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, 
who come not near unto thee. 

Many are the scourges of the sinner, but 
mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in 
the Lord. 

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just : 
and glory all ye right of heart. Glory be, &c. 



THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 233 



Psalm xxxvii. Domine, ne in furore. 

Rebuke me not, Lord, in thy indignation, 
nor chastise me in thy wrath. 

For thy arrows are fastened in me ; and 
thy hand hath been strong upon me. 

There is no health in my flesh, because of 
thy wrath ; there is no peace for my bones, 
because of my sins. 

For my iniquities are gone oyer my head ; 
and as a heayy burden have become heayy 
upon me. 

My sores are putrefied and corrupted, be- 
cause of my foolishness. 

I am become miserable, and am bowed 
down even to the end ; I walked sorrowful 
all the day long. 

For my loins are filled with illusions ; and 
there is no health in my flesh. 

I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly ; 
I roared with the groaning of my heart. 

Lord, all my desire is before thee : and my 
groaning is not hid from thee. 

My heart is troubled, my strength hath left 
me, and the light of my eyes itself is not 
with me. 

My friends and my neighbors have drawn 
near, and stood against me. 

And they that were near me stood afar off ; 
and they that sought my soul used violence. 

And they that sought evils to me spoke vain 
things, and studied deceits all the dav long. 
20* 



234 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 

But I, as a deaf man, heard not ; and was 
as a dumb man not opening his mouth. 

And I became as a man that heareth not ; 
and that hath no reproofs in his mouth. 

For in thee, O Lord, have I hope ; thou 
wilt hear me, O Lord my God. 

For I said, lest at any time my enemies 
rejoice over me : and whilst my feet are 
moved, they speak great things against me. 

For I am ready for scourges ; and my sor- 
row is continually before me. 

For I will declare my iniquity, and I will 
think for my sin. 

But my enemies live and are stronger 
than I ; and they that hate me wrongfully are 
multiplied. 

They that render evil for good, have de- 
tracted me, because I followed goodness. 

Forsake me not, O Lord my God; do not 
thou depart from me. 

Attend unto my help, O Lord the God of 
my salvation. Glory be, &c. 



Psalm l. Miserere 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to 
thy great mercy. 

"And according to the multitude of thy ten- 
der mercies, blot out my iniquity. 

Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and 
cleanse me from my sin. 



THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 235 

For I know my iniquity, and my sin is 
always before me. 

To thee only have I sinned, and have done 
evil before thee ; that thou mayest be justi- 
fied in thy words, and mayest overcome when 
thou art judged. 

For behold I was conceived in iniquities ; 
and in sins did my mother conceive me. 

For behold thou hast loved truth ; the un- 
certain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou 
hast made manifest to me. 

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I 
shall be cleansed ; thou shalt wash me, and I 
shall be made whiter than snow. 

To my hearing thou shalt give joy and 
gladness ; and the bones that have been hum- 
bled shall rejoice. 

Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot 
out all my iniquities. 

Create a clean heart in me, O God ; and 
renew a right spirit within my bowels. 

Cast me not away from thy face ; and take 
not thy Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, 
knd strengthen me with a perfect spirit. 

I will teach the unjust thy ways ; and the 
wicked shall be converted to thee. 

Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God 
of my salvation ; and my tongue shall extol 
thy justice. 

O Lord, thou wilt open my lips ; and my 
mouth shall declare thy praise. 



236 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would 
indeed have given it; with burnt-offerings 
thou wilt not be delighted. 

A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit ; a 
contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou 
wilt not despise. 

Deal favorably, O Lord, in thy good-will 
with Sion ; that the walls of Jerusalem may 
be built up. 

Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of jus- 
tice, oblations, and whole burnt-offerings; 
then shall they lay calves upon thy altar. 
Glory be, &c. 

Psalm ci. Domine, exaudi. 

Hear, O Lord, my prayer, and let my cry 
come unto thee. i 

Turn not away thy face from me ; in the 
day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear 
to me. 

In what day soever I shall call upon thee, 
hear me speedily. 

For my days are vanished like smoke ; and 
my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. 

I am smitten as grass, and my heart is 
withered ; because I forgot to eat my bread. 

Through the voice of my groaning my 
bone hath cleaved to my flesh. 

I am become like to a pelican of the wil- 
derness ; I am like a night-raven in the 
house. 



THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 



237 



I have watched, and am become as a spar- 
row, all alone on the house-top. 

All the day long my enemies reproach me ; 
and they that praised me did swear against 
me. 

For I did eat ashes like bread ; and min- 
gled my drink with weeping. 

Because of thy anger and indignation ; for 
having lifted me up, thou hast thrown me 
down. 

My days have declined like a shadow; 
and I am withered like grass. 

But thou, O Lord, endurest forever; and 
thy memorial to all generations. 

Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion; 
for it is time to have mercy on it, for the 
time is come. 

For the stones thereof have pleased thy 
servants, and they shall have pity on the 
earth thereof. 

And the gentiles shall fear thy name, O 
Lord ; and all the kings of the earth thy 
glory. 

For the Lord hath built up Sion ; and he 
shall be seen in his glory. 

He hath had regard to the prayer of the 
humble ; and he hath not despised their 
petition. 

Let these things be written unto another 
generation ; and the people that shall be 
created shall praise the Lord. 

Because he hath looked forth from his 



238 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



high sanctuary ; from heaven the Lord hath 
looked upon the earth. 

That he might hear the groans of them 
that are in fetters ; that he might release the 
children of the slain. 

That they may declare the name of the 
Lord in Sion, and his praise in Jerusalem. 

When the people assembled together, and 
kings to serve the Lord. 

He answered him in the way of his 
strength; declare unto me the fewness of 
my days. 

Call me not away in the midst of my 
days : thy years are unto generation and 
generation. 

In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst 
the earth ; and the heavens are the works of 
thy hands. 

They shall perish, but thou remain est: 
and all of them shall grow old like a gar- 
ment. 

And as a vesture thou shalt change them, 
and they shall be changed ; but thou art al- 
ways the self-same, and thy years shall not 
fail. 

The children of thy servants shall con- 
tinue ; and their seed shall be directed for- 
ever. 

Glory be to the Father, &c. 



THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 239 

Psalm cxxix. Be Profundis. 

Out of the depths I have cried to thee, 
Lord ; Lord, hear my voice. 

Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of 
my supplication. 

If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, 
who shall stand it. 

For with thee there is merciful forgive- 
ness : and by reason of thy law I have wait- 
ed for thee, O Lord. 

My soul hath relied on his word ; my soul 
hath hoped in the Lord. 

From the morning watch even until night, 
let Israel hope in the Lord. 

Because with the Lord there is mercy, and 
with him plentiful redemption. 

And he shall redeem Israel from all his 
iniquities. 

Glory be, &c. 

Psalm cxlii. Domine, exaudi. 

Hear, O Lord, my prayer ; give ear to my 
supplication in thy truth ; hear me in thy 
justice. 

And enter not into judgment with thy ser- 
vant ; for in thy sight no man living shall be 
justified. 

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul ; 
he hath brought down my life to the earth. 

He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as 
those that have been dead of old ; and my 



240 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



spirit is in anguish within me : my heart 
within me is troubled. 

I remembered the days of old, I meditated 
on all thy works : I mused upon the works of 
thy hands. 

I stretched forth my hands to thee : my 
soul is as earth without water unto thee. 

Hear me speedily, O Lord ; my spirit hath 
fainted away. 

Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be 
like unto them that go down into the pit. 

Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morn- 
ing ; for in thee have I hoped. 

Make the way known to me wherein I 
should walk ; for I have lifted up my soul to 
thee. 

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to 
thee have I fled ; teach me to do thy will, 
for thou art my God. 

Thy good spirit shall lead me into the 
right land; for thy name's sake, O Lord, 
thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. 

Thou wilt bring my soul out of troubles : 
and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my ene- 
mies. 

And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict 
my soul ; for I am thy servant. Glory be 
to the Father, &c. 

Ant. Remember not, Lord, our offences, 
nor those of our parents ; and take not re- 
venge on our sins. 



ON MEDITATION . 



241 



PRAYER. 

HEAR, I beseech thee, Lord, the pray- 
ers of thy supplicants, and pardon the 
sins of those who confess to thee ; and, in 
thy bounty, give me pardon and peace : 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



©n flUntctl IJrager or J&bitation. 

Meditation is morally necessary to salvation, be- 
cause it is impossible to know the truths and the 
mysteries of our holy religion except by the eyes of 
the soul, in other words, by frequent and serious re- 
flection. He who neglects this, walks, as St. Augus- 
tin says, with his eyes shut, and in this way it will 
be impossible for him to discover the road which he 
ought to choose, and the means which he ought to 
employ in order to arrive at his destination, namely, 
at heaven. 

But meditation is chiefly necessary to salvation, 
because he who is not in the habit of meditating, 
does not pray, and so is lost. He who does not me- 
ditate continually cannot acquire any solid virtues, 
for no one will persevere in the practice of virtue 
unless he perseveres at the same time in prayer. 
For this reason it is that our Lord has said : " We 
must always pray and never faint" He who does 
not meditate will scarcely be able for any length of 
time to avoid mortal sin, for he will live in continual 
distraction, and will not be conscious of his own 
wants. He will make no account of the dangers 



242 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



which surround him, he will not exert himself to 
employ the means to escape from them, and finally, 
recognizing no longer how necessary prayer is to his 
salvation, he will abandon it, and so be lost. 

The world is filled with sins, and hell with damn- 
ed souls, because Christians no longer meditate upon 
eternal truths. u With desolation is all the land 
made desolate, because there is none that considereth 
in the heart." (Jerm. xii.) But on the contrary, 
he who often thinks of death, judgment, and eterni- 
ty, will abandon sin ; otherwise he must leave off 
meditating, for it is impossible that meditation and 
sin should be found in company. " Remember thy 
last end, and thou shalt never sin." (Eccl. vii. 40.) 

It is God that speaks to you in meditation, and 
God speaks to you much better than any preacher 
can. It is through meditation that the saints have 
been sanctified, for it is in meditation we learn to 
turn away our hearts from the goods of this world, 
and direct them towards God. 

According to the counsel of the saints, we ought 
to choose for the principal subject of our meditations 
the eternal truths, and the great mysteries of our 
holy religion. We ought to meditate, therefore, 
upon sin, heaven, and hell, the incarnation of Jesus 
Christ, his passion, and his love for men, as display- 
ed in a most especial manner, in his sacred Heart, 
that centre of his affections, and in the most holy 
Sacrament, the most precious pledge that he has left 
us of his love, remaining there with us, and giving 
himself to us altogether. We ought also to medi- 
tate often upon the powerful intercession of the most 
holy Virgin Mary, the dispenser of graces, and upon 
St. Joseph, the patron of the interior life, because all 



ON MEDITATION. 



243 



these considerations will increase our confidence, and 
prepare our hearts to receiye those graces which 
Jesus Christ is willing to bestow upon us, through 
the merits of his passion, and by the intercession of 
Mary and of the Saints. 

The Church is the most proper place for medita- 
tion, but since one has not always either the time or 
the means to go there, it will do also to meditate in 
one's chamber at home, and even in the open air, or 
while one is occupied in some manual labor, which 
does not hinder the soul from raising itself upwards 
to God. 

The early hours of the morning are the fittest for 
meditation, for when one's morning prayers have 
been well said, every thing goes on better through- 
out the whole day. If one has time, it is good also 
before lying down to sleep to consecrate a half-hour 
to meditation, as in the morning : but if this is quite 
impossible, it is enough for beginners to meditate 
for one half-hour each day. 

HOW TO MEDITATE. 

Before meditation, place yourself devoutly upon 
your knees. If you are able to remain kneeling 
without injury to your health, it should be done, but if 
that is likely to prove injurious, you may stand or sit. 

Then begin the preparation to your meditation, 
in which you must never forget to place yourself, 
first of all, in the presence of God. This may be 
done by repeating the following Acts : " O my God ! 
I am firmly persuaded that thou art here present, and 
I adore thee from the bottom of my nothingness." 

Then humble yourself before God, saying : " O ray 



244 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



God, I deserve to be burning this moment in hell, 
I am sorry for all my sins. Pardon me in thine in- 
finite mercy." 

Lastly, pray God to enlighten you : " Eternal Fa- 
ther ! for the love of Jesus, and of Mary, enlighten 
me in this meditation, in order that I may profit by it." 

It is well to add to these preparatory prayers, an 
Ave to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Gloria in 
honor of St. Joseph, of our patron Saint, and of our 
guardian Angel. These acts and prayers must be 
made with great attention, but without dwelling on 
them too long. 

Before you enter upon the meditation itself, read 
with attention one of the points given in your book 
of Meditations. (See page 247.) If already in the 
commencement you feel touched by any truth, then 
read no farther. We must do, says St. Francis de 
Sales, as the bees do, for they stop on each flower, 
until they have sucked out all the honey. If, on the 
contrary, the first point of the Meditation proves to 
be a difficult one to make use of, go on at once to 
the second point. 

It is necessary to remark, that although one makes 
use ordinarily of the understanding to consider the 
truths of faith, yet the essential point of meditation 
consists in the following things : 

1. To awaken the affections. — We ought there- 
fore to humble ourselves with heart-felt sincerity, to - 
animate our faith and our hope, and above all to 
make acts of contrition, and of iove to God, of con- 
formity to his holy will, and to offer ourselves up 
entirely to him. We should repeat the same affec- 
tions over and over again, especially those to which 
we feel the most inclined. 



ON MEDITATION. 



245 



2. We must make petitions. — It is in meditation 
that God shows us our misery, and how much we 
need his grace to conquer our evil inclinations, and 
our other enemies. For this reason the time of me- 
ditation is the fittest time for prayer. God ordina- 
rily gives his grace, and especially the grace of per- 
severance, to those who pray. " Ask, avd you shall 
receive : n > therefore, says St. Theresa, if any one does 
not ask, he will not receive. 

3. We must make good resolutions. — After hav- 
ing discovered by meditation what we have to do 
on our part in order to live in conformity with the 
holy will of God, and having asked his assistance, it 
still remains for us to put in practice what we have 
thus seen to be necessary ; otherwise our meditation 
will be fruitless. "We must therefore make a serious 
resolve to avoid such, or such a fault, to do this or 
that good work the very first occasion. It is neces- 
sary also, from time to time during the day, to re- 
call the good resolution we have taken, for fear lest, 
when the occasion arrives, it should be already for- 
gotten. After the good resolution comes the end of 
the meditation. Then we must thank God for the 
holy inspirations which he has given us, and beseech 
him, for the love of Jesus and of Mary, to help us to 
carry out in practice the good resolutions we have 
made. Also, before the meditation is over, we ought 
to recommend to God the souls in purgatory, the 
Holy Church, our friends and benefactors, and all 
p :>or sinners, saying for this purpose a Pater and an 
Ave, which are the most efficacious of all prayers, 
being the same which our Lord Jesus Christ and 
the Holy Church have taught us. 

Having once, with the advice of your confessor, 
21* 



246 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



fixed upon a certain time in the day for meditation, 
be careful not to omit it on account of aridity or 
distractions, and do not be troubled or discouraged 
when you no longer feel the consolations of devo- 
tion. St. Francis of Sales says, that a great num- 
ber of courtiers wait every day on the king, as a 
testimony of their respect, and are content if only 
he condescends to look at them. We, too, when 
we are in meditation, testify our reverence towards 
God, and give him proofs of our love. If he is will- 
ing then to converse with us, and console us, we 
must be grateful for so sweet a favor ; but if he is 
not disposed to grant us this grace, we must be con- 
tent to remain recollected in his presence, adoiing 
him and making known our wants. For although 
God should not speak to your heart, dear Christian, 
in a sensible manner, be sure he will not fail to re- 
gard with a favorable eye these testimonies of your 
fidelity, he will reward your confidence, and answer 
your prayer. 

The simplest method of meditating is the follow- 
ing : after having invoked the Holy Ghost, you read 
a few lines in a book of meditations, and then ask 
yourself the following questions : 

1. What does the holy faith here say to me ? 

2. What must I do to put in practice its teaching 
in this matter ? 

3. What have I done hitherto ? 

4. What am I willing to do in future ? 

Then ask of God, through Mary, to give you 
his assistance, and renew over and over again the res- 
olution you have made before the cross of Jesus 
Christ. 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 



247 



MEDITATIONS 

FOR EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. 
(From the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori.) 



MEDITATION FOR SUNDAY. 
On the End of Man. 

L Consider, my soul, that God has given thee 
existence, made thee after his own image, without 
any merit of thine, and adopted thee for his own 
child in holy Baptism. He has loved thee more than 
a father, and has created thee to love and serve him 
in this life, that thou may est eternally enjoy him in 
paradise. Therefore thou art not created and must 
not live to be happy here on earth, to enjoy riches 
and authority, or to eat, drink, and sleep as do the 
animals, but only to love thy God and win thy eter- 
nal salvation. 

And thy Lord has given thee created things for 
this use, to help thee to reach thy great end. 
wretch that I am ! I have thought of any thing 
else rather than of my eternal end. (For example ; 
of this or that thing. Examine here to see tvhat is 
your chief vice) 

My Father ! for the love of Jesus, grant that I 
may begin a new life, perfectly holy and conforma- 
ble to thy divine will. (Here endeavor to excite the 
deepest spirit of penance, and make the firmest reso- 
lution — especially, never more to think of this or that 



248 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



bad or vain object, but rather on something quite op- 
posite.) 

II. Consider what stings of conscience it will give 
you at the moment of death to remember that you 
have not thought of serving God. What sorrow, 
when at the end of your days you see that there is 
nothing left to you, at that hour, of all your pos- 
sessions, honors, splendor, and pleasures, but a hand- 
ful of dust ! What consternation then to see that 
you have, lost the favor of God, and your immortal 
soul, for the sake of vain trifles and things that 
perish, when it is too late to remedy the evil, too 
late for you to try the better way. O what de- 
spair ! O cruel torment ! You will then see, but 
too late, how great is the value of time ; you would 
willingly purchase it then with your blood, but alas ! 
you will not be able. O bitter day for him who 
has not served and loved God ! {Awaken in your 
breast the sentiment of contrition, and make a firm 
resolution) 

III. Consider how men neglect their salvation, that 
great end of man. They do not forget to amass 
riches, to eat, to prepare entertainments, and make 
all things comfortable about them : — but they think 
little of serving God. You never, have thought of 
saving your soul, and you consider your everlasting 
end a thing of little consequence. And thus the 
greater part of Christians are hurrying, feasting, sing- 
ing, dancing, and playing on their way to hell. 
if they only knew the meaning of that word Hell ! 
man ! what pains thou takest to be lost, and wilt 
thou do nothing to be saved ? 

When once the private secretary of a king was 
lving on his death-bed, he exclaimed : Miserable man 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 



249 



that lam! I have used so much paper in writing 
letters for my prince, and have not employed a single 
leaf to help me examine my sins and prepare for a 
good confession. 

But of what use to him then were those sighs and 
lamentations ? They served at best only to in- 
crease his despair. But made wise at the cost of 
others, learn, Christian, to live mindful of your eter- 
nal salvation, if you would not fall into the same 
despair. And remember that every thing you do, 
say, or think, if it is not for God, is lost. [Reflect 
again on your besetting sin.) It is indeed time for 
you to change your life. What ! will you wait for 
the moment of death to awake from your delusion, — 
at the door of eternity, on the borders of the abyss ? 
There is yet time, yet opportunity, to correct your 
error. My God ! spare me ! I love thee above all 
things ! I am sorry for having offended thee more 
than for every other evil. Mary, my hope ! pray to 
Jesus for me. (Excite your will to contrition, and 
make a firm resolution) 

MEDITATION FOR MONDAY. 

On the importance of securing our end. 

I. Consider, O man ! how much depends upon 
gaining your great end, that is, your salvation. 
Every thing is at stake ; for, if you reach it, then 
you are saved, then you will be forever blessed, and 
will enjoy forever every possible good of soul and 
body : but, if you fail, you will lose soul and body, 
Paradise and God ; you will be forever miserable ; 
you will be lost eternally. Behold here the great- 
est of all affairs, the only important, the only neces- 



250 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



sary business — to serve God and save your soul. 
Then say no longer, O Christian : I will live now for 
my own pleasure, and after that I will give myself 
to God, and hope to be saved after all. O, how many 
has this false hope thrown into hell, who once spoke 
thus, and who now are lost, for whom there is now 
no deliverance ! What man would ever wish to be 
damned ? Yet he is accursed of God who sins in the 
hope of mercy. a Cursed is the man who sins in 
hope" You say, I will commit this sin and after- 
wards confess it. Who knows if you will have time 
for that ? Who can give you the assurance that 
you will not die immediately after you have com- 
mitted this sin ? Meanwhile you lose the favor of 
God ; and what will become of you if you do not 
obtain it again ? God is merciful to those who fear 
him, but not towards those who despise him. " His 
mercy is to them that fear Him? (Luke, i. 50.) Do 
not say, it is all the same whether I have two sins 
to confess, or three : no ; for God may pardon you 
two sins, but not perhaps the third. God suffers 
long, but he will not suffer always. " He will punish 
them in the fulness of their sins" (Zech. vi. 14.) 
When the measure is full, God pardons no more, but 
punishes sinners suddenly with death, and casts them 
from him, so that they go on from one sin to another, 
until they fall into hell — a punishment far worse 
than death itself. 0, my brethren, mark well what 
you now read ; cease from sin and give yourself to 
God. Fear lest this should be the last warning 
which God will send you. You have gone on in 
your offences long enough. He has borne with you 
long enough. Tremble lest the first mortal sin you 
again commit after this, God will pardon you no 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 



251 



more. Consider well ; your soul is at stake ; all 
eternity is at stake. How many have been moved 
by this great thought of eternity to leave the world 
and live in cloisters, deserts, and caves ! O, un- 
happy sinner that I am ! What have I gained by 
so many sins ? (Reflect on the frequent repetition 
of your besetting sin.) A guilty conscience, a heavy 
heart, a burdened soul, hell deserved, and God 
lost ! Ah, my God and Father, unite me to thee 
once more and forever in sacred charity. (JExcite 
the spirit of contrition in your heart, and make a 
firm resolution,) 

II. Consider how this, the only important concern, 
is the most neglected of all. We think of every 
thing but our salvation. We have time for every 
thing but God. Exhort a man of the world to re- 
ceive the Sacraments oftener, or to make a medita- 
tion of half an hour, and he will answer you : I 
have children, I have property to take care of, I 
have business, I have so much to do ! O my God ! 
Have you not a soul too ? Call upon all your pos- 
sessions, and your children and relations, to help you 
at the hour of death, they will give you no relief, 
neither can they rescue you from hell, when you are 
damned. Flatter yourself not with the hope that 
you can reconcile God and the world, Paradise and 
sin. The affair of your salvation is not a thing 
which can be arranged easily ; you must lay out ef- 
forts ; you must do yourself violence if you would 
win the crown of eternal life. (Think of that be- 
setting sin which lies in your way.) Ah ! how many 
Christians who are now in hell, flattered themselves 
that at some future time they would serve God and 
save their souls. What folly ever to think always 



252 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



of what finishes so soon, and to think so little of that 
which will never end ! O Christian ! think of your 
true home, remember that you will soon quit this 
earth and enter into the dwelling of eternity. 
horrible misfortune for you, should you be damned ! 
Then, remember it well, then there is no more help 
tor you. (Arouse in yourself the spirit of contrition, 
and make a firm resolution.) 

III. Consider well, O Christian, and say to your- 
self : I have only one soul ; if I lose that I lose all. 
I have only one immortal soul ; if I gain the whole 
world and ruin that, what does it profit me ? If I 
raise myself to high honor and distinction, and lose 
my soul, what does it profit me ? If I succeed in 
becorniug rich, and enlarge my house, and provide 
well foi my children, and lose my soul, what will it 
profit me? How much have the splendors, amuse- 
ments, and vanities of life helped those who once lived 
in this world, and who have now become dust in the 
grave, and their souls the prey of hell ? Since this 
soul is mine, and since I have only one, which if once 
Lost, is lost forever, then ought I indeed most seriously 
to think of my salvation. Something of far greater 
than common importance depends on it ; for eternal 
happiness or eternal misery is involved. O my God I 
deeply penetrated with shame, I see that I have 
hitherto lived like one blind, and that I have wander- 
ed far from thee. (Think here once more of your be- 
setting sin.) I have not thought of saving my soul. 
Save me, O my Father ! for Jesus Christ's sake. I 
am content to lose all things, only if I do not lose 
thee, O my God ! Mary, my hope ! O save me by 
thy intercession. (Excite your heart to a deep con- 
trition, and make a firm resolution.) 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 253 



MEDITATION FOR TUESDAY. 
On mortal Sin. 

I. Consider that God has created you in order that 
you may love him ; but you have rebelled against 
him with the blackest ingratitude ; you have treated 
him as an enemy ; you have despised his grace and 
his friendship. You knew that by your sins you 
would displease him, and yet you have committed 
them. What does he, that man who commits sin ? 
He turns his back on God ; he loses respect for him ; 
he lifts his hand, it may be said, to strike him ; he 
grieves the heart of his God. Is. lxiii. 10. He who 
sins, says in fact to God : Withdraw from me, I will 
not obey thee, I will not serve thee, I will not ac- 
knowledge thee as my Lord, I will not have thee for 
my God ; this pleasure, that worldly advantage, this 
gratification of my revenge must be my God. So 
do you speak in your heart, whenever you prefer a 
creature to your God. St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi 
could not comprehend how a Christian, with his 
eyes open, could commit sin. And you who now 
are reading this, what do you say? How many 
mortal sins have you not already committed ? [Ex- 
amine yourself.) My God ! pardon me, and have 
mercy on me. I have offended thy infinite goodness ; 
I hate my sins, I love thee, and repent of having 
offended thee, O my God, thou who art so infinitely 
lovely ! [Arouse yourself to repentance, and make a 
firm resolution.) 

II. Consider that in the moment when you are 
committing sin God says to you : " My son ! I am 
thy God, who have created thee from nothing, who 

22 



254 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



have redeemed thee with my blood. I forbid thee, 
under pain of my displeasure, to commit these sins." 
But when you sin, you answer your God and say : 
" Lord ! I will not obey thee, I will procure for 
myself this satisfaction ; it is of no importance to me, 
whether it displeases thee or not." Alas ! my God, 
more than once have I done this ! {Examine your- 
self^) How was it possible for thee to bear with me 
so long ? that I had died before offending thee ! 
I will never displease thee more ; I will love thee, O 
infinite goodness; give me only the grace of per- 
severance ! give me thy holy love ! {Excite your 
heart to contrition, and make a firm resolution.) 

HI. Consider that when the number of sins exceed 
a certain limit, God abandons the sinner. " The Lord 
patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment 
shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of 
their sins." 2 Mach. vi., 14. When then, my 
brethren, you are tempted again to sin, never more 
say: I will confess my sins afterwards. If God 
should let you die first, if he should entirely desert 
you, what would become of you for all eternity? 
Alas! how many in this way have been lost ! They 
too hoped for pardon, but the hour of death came 
and they were lost. tremble for fear the same 
thing should befall you. 

He deserves no mercy who takes advantage of the 
goodness of God to offend him. God has already par- 
doned you so many sins. You have reason enough 
to fear that God will not forgive the next mortal sin 
you commit. Thank him for having waited for you 
so kindly and so long, and make the firm resolution 
rather to suffer death than to commit sin again. 

From this day forward always says : my God ! 

■ / 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 



255 



I have often offended thee ! I will not employ the 
remnant of my life in displeasing thee more ; no, thou 
dost not merit such treatment as this. I will employ 
it only in loving thee, and in sorrow for the sins I 
have committed against thee. I repent of them with 
my whole heart. My Jesus, I am anxious to love 
thee ; wilt thou give me strength and help me ? 
Amen. [Excite in your soul a sorrow for sin, and 
make a firm resolution.) 

MEDITATION FOR WEDNESDAY. 
On Death. 

I. Consider that this life must one day end. Al- 
ready has the sentence gone forth : " Thou must die." 
Death is certain, but you know not when it will come. 
One little drop flowing through your heart ; a vein 
bursting in your breast ; a suffocating cold in the 
throat, a violent rush of blood, the bite of a poisonous 
reptile, a fever, a wound, a freshet, an earthquake, a 
flash of lightning is enough to deprive you of life. 
Death will come to you when you least expect it. 
How many have laid down to sleep at night in health, 
and in the morning have been found dead ! May 
not this happen as well to you ? All those who have 
died so suddenly little thought that they were to die 
in this way, and if they were then in the state of sin, 
where are they now ? and where will they be through 
all eternity ? Let it be as it may with them, this 
is certain, that a time will one day come, when for 
you, a night will close in, followed by no morning ; 
or a day will begin for you that will be interrupted 
by no night. Jesus Christ said, I will come as a 
thief unseen and in secret. Your merciful Saviour 



256 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



warns you in season, for he desires that you may be 
saved. Do what God desires of you, profit by the 
warning, prepare yourself to die well before death 
itself conies. " Be ready," for when there is no more 
time for preparation, it is necessary to be already pre- 
pared. {Examine here your besetting sins.) It is 
certain that you must die. The drama of this world 
must close for you, and you know not when. Who 
knows whether you will live a year, a month, or even 
till to-morrow \ Jesus ! enlighten me and pardon 
me. (Arouse your soul to contrition, and make a 
firm resolution!) 

II. Consider how you will lie, at the hour of death, 
stretched upon a bed, surrounded by your weeping 
friends, a priest by your side to assist your soul ; a 
crucifix at your head, the lighted taper at your feet ; 
in fine, already just at the entrance of eteruity. 
Dreadful pains afflict your distracted head, it grows 
dark around you, your tongue is parched, your breath 
is short, your breast is burdened, your blood chilled, 
your flesh shrunken, your heart rent with anguish, all 
you have is gliding from you, and poor and naked, 
you will be thrown into a grave to rot. There worms 
and insects will gnaw your flesh, and nothing of you 
will be left but the crumbling bones and a little dust 
Open some grave and look ! what has become of that 
rich, that avaricious man, that vain and worldly 
woman ? 

Thus ends life. At the hour of death you will 
find yourself surrounded by evil spirits, who will 
bring up before you all the sins you have committed 
from your childhood. Now the devil conceals and 
excuses your sins, that he may lead you into sin ; he 
says to you : This vanity, this pleasure, this dan- 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 257 



gerous company, this inclination is no great sin ; you 
have no bad intention in this acquaintance ; but at the 
hour of death he will show you all the enormity of 
your sins. [Examine yourself thoroughly as to your 
besetting sin.) By the light of that eternity into 
which you are just entering, you will then see what 
an evil it was to have offended an infinite God. Now, 
while there is yet time, while you can do it, remedy 
the evil, for then it will be too late. [Awaken 
your contrition, and make a firm resolution.) 

III. Consider that death is a moment upon which 
a whole eternity depends. Behold ! here lies a man 
just dying, and therefore near to both eternities : near 
an eternity of happiness, or an eternity of misery. 
See, his fate for eternity depends upon his last breath, 
after which his soul will be forever happy, or for- 
ever lost. 

0, the end of life! the last breath! that last 
moment, on which an eternity depends — an eternity 
of glory, or of pain — of happiness or of misery ; of 
joy, or of despair ; an eternity of every good, or an 
eternity of every evil ; an eternity in heaven, or an 
eternity in hell ! For, if in that last moment you are 
saved, you will have nothing more to suffer, you will 
be forever happy and blessed ; but if you die in sin, 
and are damned, you will be wretched, and in de- 
spair, so long as God is God. In death, you will see 
what mean those words, heaven, hell, sin, an offended 
God, contempt of the divine Law, sins hidden in con- 
fession, goods of others not restored. " 0, miserable 
being that I am," the dying man will exclaim, " I 
must now, in a few moments, appear in the presence 
of God ! Who knows what judgment will meet me 
there ? Whither am I going, to heaven or to hell ? 
22* 



258 



PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



Shall I rejoice forever with the angels, or shall I bum 
eternally with the damned ? Shall I be a child of 
God, or a slave of the devil ? Alas ! soon, too soon, 
I shall know, and where I find myself that first mo- 
ment, there shall I remain through eternity. Ah ! 
what will become of me in a few hours, in a few 
moments ? What will become of me when I can no 
longer repair that scandal? when I cannot restore 
those ill-gotten goods? when I cannot pardon my 
enemies from my heart ? when I. cannot any longer 
make good that confession V [Examine yourself as 
to your principal sin.) Then will you curse a thou- 
sand times that day in which you sinned ; you will 
curse that pleasure, that revenge which you have 
taken, but too late, and without avail, because you 
will do it then only from the fear of punishment, and 
not from love to God ! Ah ! Lord, behold — now, at 
this very moment, I turn to thee ; I will not wait for 
death ; now, and always, I will love thee ; I embrace 
thee, and in thy embrace will I die ! My mother, 
Mary, let me die under thy protecting mantle ; help 
me in my death ! Amen. [Aivaken your contrition, 
and make a firm resolution) 

MEDITATION FOR THURSDAY. 

On the Last Judgment. 

I. Consider how the soul, as soon as it has left the 
body, will be immediately taken before the tribunal 
of God, to be judged. Your Judge is Almighty God, 
offended and enraged with you. Your accusers are 
the devils, your enemies. You are to be judged for 
your sins. The judgment is one which cannot be 
recalled ; the punishment is hell. There, you have 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 



259 



no companions, no parents, no friends ; you will be 
alone there, you and your God. Then will you feel 
all the enormity of your sins, and you will no longer 
be able to excuse them as you have before. All the 
sins you have committed, in thought, word, or deed, 
will be examined; all the sins of indulgence, of omis- 
sion, and of commission. [Here examine into the vast 
number of your sins.) Every thing will be weighed 
in the great balance of divine justice, and if in any 
one point you are found guilty, you will be eternally 
lost. My Jesus, thou who wilt be my judge, pardon 
me before thou judgest me. {Excite a tender soi*roiv 
for your sins, and make a firm resolution.) 

II. Consider how the divine justice will judge all 
people in the valley of Jehoshaphat, when, at the 
end of the world, their bodies will arise, that, together 
with the soul, they may receive reward or punishment 
according to their works. Remember that if con- 
demned, you will again receive your body, which 
will serve for the eternal prison of your soul. Then 
will the soul curse the body and the body the soul, so 
that body and soul, which are now united in the 
search of forbidden pleasures, will be again united to 
torment each other after death. If, on the other hand, 
you are saved, then will your body arise in perfect 
beauty, radiant and incapable of suffering, so that 
both soul and body will be worthy of eternal life. 
Thus will this life, like an act of a drama, end. All 
the delight, as well as the pomp of this world, will 
end. All is over then. Nothing remains but two 
eternities, the one of glory and the other of punish- 
ment ; one of bliss, the other of misery ; one of joy, 
and the other of suffering ; the just in heaven, the 
sinners in hell. (Examine how you stand, and espe- 



260 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



dally with regard to your besetting sin.) Poor, then, 
will be that man who has loved the world, and who, 
for the miserable joys of this world, has lost every 
thing — every thing, soul, body, heaven, and God. 
(Awaken your contrition, and make a firm resolu- 
tion)} 

III. Consider the eternal sentence. Jesus Christ 
the judge will turn towards the reprobates and say : 
It is all over with you; now, ungrateful souls, all is 
over ! My hour is now come ; the hour of truth and 
justice, the hour of wrath and vengeance. Depart 
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire. Matt. xxv. 
Away, ye sinners. You have loved cursing, and now 
let it come upon you. Accursed be ye all, now and 
throughout all eternity ! Depart from my presence ; 
go, deprived of all you possessed, laden with tor- 
ments, go into eternal fire ! (In view of this judg- 
ment, examine yourself on your besetting sin.) 

Then will Jesus turn to the elect and say : Come, 
blessed children of my Father, come receive the 
kingdom which is prepared for you ; come, no more 
to bear the cross with me, but with me to wear the 
crown. Come and be heirs of my kingdom, com- 
panions of my glory, come to praise my mercy 
through all eternity ; come from exile 'to your home, 
come from misery to joy, come from weeping to re- 
joicing, come from suffering to eternal rest ! " Come, 
ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom pre- 
pared for your O my Jesus ! I also hope to be 
among these blessed ones. I love thee above all 
things. O give me thy blessing now ! And do thou, 
my mother Mary, bless me also. (Make a fervent 
act of contrition, with a firm resolution to prepare 
during life for judgment)) 



DAILY MEDITATIONS . 



261 



MEDITATION FOR FRIDAY. 
On Hell 

I. Contemplate for a moment that frightful prison 
of hell, filled with fire, where the damned suffer eter- 
nally. Into this fire they are, so to speak, plunged 
and buried. Under them a sea of fire, over them a 
sea of fire, around on all sides fire — fire in the eyes, 
fire in the mouth, fire penetrating everywhere. There 
each and every sense has a torment of its own. The 
eves are tormented by darkness and smoke, and, at 
the same time, by the sight of the devils and the rest 
of the damned. Day and night, the ears hear nothing 
else but howling, and weeping, and cursing. The 
sense of smell is sickened by the insupportable stench 
of so many putrid and infected bodies. The taste is 
tormented by a burning thirst, and a cruel hunger, 
while never a drop of water can be had or the least 
refreshment. And thus these miserable captives, suf- 
fering every w r ant, devoured by fire, tormented by 
every pain, weep, groan, howl, and despair, whilst 
they cannot find, and for all eternity never will find, 
rest or consolation. Hell ! Hell ! is it necessary 
that men should wait until they are swallowed by thy 
flames, to believe in thee ? You, who even now are 
reading on this page, what do you say ? [Pause 
here awhile, and with this terrible truth in view, 
think on your besetting sin.) If you had to die this 
moment, where would y6u go ? What ! you cannot 
bear even a spark of fire on your hand; and do you 
think to be able to live in an ocean of fire, where, 
abandoned by eveiy creature, desolate and desperate, 



262 



PAETICUIiAR DEVOTIONS. 



you will have to pass a never-ending eternity? 
(Encourage in your heart the deepest sentiments of 
contrition, and make a firm resolution.) 

II. Consider well those pains which afflict the 
faculties of the soul in hell. The memory will be 
everlastingly tormented by the stings of conscience. 
This is that worm which will forever gnaw in the 
conscience of the damned, to remind him how fool- 
ishly he consented to his own ruin for the sake of a 
few poisoned pleasures. O God ! how will each mo- 
ment of sinful pleasure appear to him then, after a 
hundred, after a thousand years spent in hell ! That 
gnawing worm will recall to his mind the time which 
God gave him for conversion, all the opportunities 
and means he had to secure the salvation of his soul, 
the good example of his friends, all the holy resolu- 
tions made, alas, but broken. (Examine yourself 
well on these points, and place before your eyes 
your predominant sin.) And then he will see that 
there is no longer any way of escaping from his 
eternal ruin. O God ! God ! what a double hell 
will this be ! The will, too, is doomed to be always 
thwarted ; it will never have that which it desires, 
and will ever have that which it desires not, that is 
to say, every possible suffering. The understanding 
will see clearly what great rewards it has lost ; 
namely, heaven and God ! O God ! my God ! par- 
don me for the love of Jesus. (Excite your heart to 
contrition, and make a firm resolution.) 

III. Sinner, you who are now so indifferent 
whether or not you lose heaven and God, you will 
know how great has been your blindness, when you 
shall see the triumph and joy of the blessed in 
heaven; and you yourself driven like an unclean 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 



263 



creature from that blessed home, cast out from the 
presence of God, and the company of Mary, of the 
angels and the saints of God. Then in a frenzy of 
despair you will exclaim : Heaven, O place of joy ! 
O God ! infinite good, thou art not for me, thou 
wilt never more be mine ! Alas ! poor sinner, do 
penance rather now ! amend your life at once. 
(Examine your conscience again, and place before you 
your besetting sin.) yes, wait not till time with 
you shall be no longer ! — give yourself wholly to 
God. Begin to love him truly. Pray to Jesus, pray 
to Mary, that they may have mercy on you. (Make 
a fervent act of contrition and a strong resolution.) 

MEDITATION FOR SATURDAY. 
On the eternity of punishment. 

I. Consider that Hell has no end. There, all kinds 
of suffering are found, and for all eternity. Hundreds 
and thousands of years will pass in these torments, 
and yet hell will be always as if just beginning. 
Hundreds of thousands, hundreds of millions of years 
and of centuries will pass away, and Hell will be still 
at its commencement. If at this very hour an angel 
should carry the tidings to one of the damned, that 
God had consented to free him from hell — and when ? 
hear ! when so many millions of centuries shall have 
passed away as there are drops of water in the ocean, 
leaves on the trees, sands in the sea, and on the earth 
— you would shudder at this, but still it is true that 
such tidings would give greater joy to that soul, than 
you would feel if you were told that you had become 
the king of a great kingdom. Yes, certainly ! for 
that poor damned sinner would say : It is true that 



264 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 



many, many centuries will first pass by, but at length 
a day will come, in which my sufferings will end ! 
Alas ! all these centuries will pass away, but Hell 
will ever be beginning anew ; all these centimes may 
be multiplied like the sands, the rain-drops and the 
leaves, but Hell is still beginning anew. Every lost 
soul would gladly, if he might, enter into this agree- 
ment with God : Lord ! if it please thee, increase my 
pain ! Lord ! prolong my pains as long as it may 
please thee, I am satisfied ; if it will only one day 
end, I am content. But no, this end will never come 
— never ! But perhaps this poor lost sinner will de- 
lude and flatter himself, and say inwardly : Perhaps 
God will one day have mercy on me and deliver me 
from Hell — No ! the condemned soul will always 
have before his eyes the sentence of his eternal con- 
demnation, and his language will be this : Alas ! it 
is sure, too sure ! all these torments which I now 
suffer, this fire, this sorrow, this cry of despair will 
never end ! never, never, O never ! no, it will last 
forever, forever. eternity, Hell ! how is it pos- 
sible that men believe in you and yet continue to live 
in sin ! [Look steadily here upon your besetting sin, 
and with eternity in view, excite your soul to contri- 
tion and make a firm resolution?) 

H. My Chiistian friend, think well of this, and 
consider that hell is waiting for you also, if you sin. 
Even now its horrid flames are burning under your 
feet, and 0, at this moment, even while you are read- 
ing these words, how many souls are falling into it ! 
Remember that when you have once entered there, 
you can never leave it. And if you have deserved 
Hell, thank God that he has not yet cast you into it, and 
hasten, hasten, as soon as possible to remedy the evil 



DAILY MEDITATIONS. 265 

Mouru for your sins, and use all the means that arc 
in your power for your salvation. Go frequently to 
confession, read daily some spiritual book, say the 
Rosary every day in honor of the Mother of God 
that you may obtain a great devotion to her, fast if 
possible eveiy Saturday in honor of Mary, resist 
temptations, and often call upon Jesus and Mary when 
you are tempted. Avoid the occasions of sin, and 
if God should call you to leave the world, then do it, 
yes, do it ! Ah ! every thing that we can do to avoid 
an eternity of suffering is little, is nothing. " No 
certainty can be too great, where we are in peril for 
eternity," so says St. Bernard. In order to place 
yourself in safety for eternity, no foresight is too far- 
reaching. See how many hermits, that they might 
avoid Hell, have gone into caves and deserts, and 
there lived ! And what are you doing for your soul ? 
what are you doing, you that have so often deserved 
Hell? what are you doing? (Think of your be- 
setting sin.) See to it, that you are not lost. Give 
yourself once for all to God, and say to him, Lord ! 
behold me ready to do every thing thou requirest of 
me. Mary, help me. (Endeavor to arouse your 
will to the deepest contrition, and make a firm 
resolution,) 

23 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



OR, 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THOSE TRUTHS 
WHICH ARE THE MOST NECESSARY EOR 
A CHRISTIAN TO KNOW 



AN ADMONITION TO PARENTS. 

As soon as children begin to talk, their parents, or 
those who supply to them the place of parents, should 
teach them to pronounce with reverence the holy 
names of Jesus and Mary. They should teach them 
to know their Father in heaven, who is so full of 
love, and so worthy of being loved ; to know also his 
only begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and speak 
to them often also of Mary, the divine Mother. Then 
they should be taught to bless themselves with the 
sign of the Cross, and to pray before the Crucifix, 
and finally to repeat the Lord's Prayer, the Hail 
Mary, and the Creed, slowly and with devotion. 
23* 



270 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 

OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH. 

Question. What is the faith of a true Catholic 
Christian ? 

Answer. The faith of a true Catholic is, to be- 
lieve, without doubting, all that God has revealed 
and teaches through the Holy Catholic Church. 

Q. Is it not enough for each one to read the 
Holy Scriptures, and to believe only what he can 
find in them ? 

A. No : for two reasons. First, because the Word 
of God is not contained in the Bible alone, but also 
in the tradition of the Church, by which it is handed 
down to us ; and secondly, because the Holy Catholic 
Church is the only authorized and infallible teacher 
and interpreter of the Word of God. 

Q. Why must we believe without doubting ? 

A. Because the Catholic Faith has been revealed 
by God, who cannot be deceived, and is incapable of 
deceiving us, and who has promised that his Holy 
Church shall never err. For the same reason all the 
articles of that Faith are equally and infallibly true, 
and necessary to be believed. 

Q. Is this Catholic Faith necessary to our sal- 
vation ? 

A. Yes ; for so the Holy Church declares in the 
Athanasian Creed : " This is the Catholic Faith, 
which, unless each one shall hold entire and unvio- 
lated, he shall, without doubt, perish everlastingly.' 1 

Q. Is it necessary to every one to know all the 
truths w T hich God has revealed to his Church ? 

A. No. For many persons this would be impos- 
sible. Some of these truths, however, are necessary 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 



271 



for all, either because the knowledge of them is a 
necessary means of salvation, or because it is so com- 
manded by God or by the Church ; as to the rest, 
it is sufficient to confide in the doctrine of the Church, 
and to believe that whatever she believes and teaches 
is true. 



PART FIRST 

THINGS WHICH IT IS NECESSARY FOR EVERY CATHOLIC 
TO KNOW, AS NECESSARY MEANS OF SALVATION. 

Q. Which are those doctrines which every one 
must know as necessary means to salvation ? 

A. First of all, it is absolutely necessary for all to 
know in substance the following ; viz., the existence 
of one God, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the 
Redemption of mankind by the incarnation and 
death of Jesus Christ, and the Future State of re- 
ward or punishment. 

1. Of God. 
Q. What is God ? 

A. God is the supreme, and infinitely perfect 
Being. 

Q. How is God supreme ? 

A. God is supreme, for that he alone is the Lord 
and Ruler of the world. All things were made by 
him, and are subject to his power. 

Q. How is God infinitely perfect ? 

A. God is infinitely perfect, because he possesses 



272 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



in himself the only true and highest good, and every 
perfection in an infinite degree. 

Q. What are those principal perfections of God 
which demand more particularly our attention ? 

A, We ought especially to remark the following : 

1 . God is eternal ; for he always was, is, and ever 
will be. 

2. God is unchangeable ; for he always was, is, and 
ever will be the same. 

3. God is a pure Spirit ; possessing the highest 
intelligence, and the most perfect will, but without 
any body. 

4. God is supremely good ; for all that his crea- 
tures possess of good proceeds from him. 

5. God is omniscient ; for he knows every thing, 
even the most secret things, and the very thoughts 
in our hearts. 

6. God is all- wise ; for he has ordered all things 
according to his unbounded wisdom. 

7. God is almighty ; for he created heaven and 
earth, the angels and men, and every creature which 
exists, and made them out of nothing, for to him 
nothing is impossible. 

8. God is everywhere present ; he is in every place, 
whether in heaven, or on earth. 

9. God is infinitely true and faithful ; it is im- 
possible that he should say or promise any thing 
false. 

10. God is infinitely holy ; He loves every thing 
that is good, and hates every thing that is evil. 

11. God is infinitely just ; that which is good he 
aiways rewards, and punishes what is wicked. 

12. God is infinitely merciful ; for he is always 
ready to pardon the penitent sinner. 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 



273 



Q. Is there more than one God ? 
A. No : there is only one God. 

2. Of the Holy Trinity. 

Q. Is God only one person ? 
A. There are three persons in God, but only one 
essence. 

Q. How do we call these three divine Persons ? 

A. They are named: 1. The Father; 2. The 
Son ; 3. The Holy Ghost. The Father is of him- 
self ; the Son is begotten of the Father ; the Holy 
Ghost is not begotten, but proceeds equally from the 
Father and the Son. And all three are alike un- 
created and eternal. 

Q. You say there is only one God in three Per- 
sons : what must we understand by this ? 

A. We must understand that although, in some 
manner, we can distinguish in our thoughts and in 
our prayers between the Father, and the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, yet it is necessary to believe that these 
three are only one and the same divine Being, having 
only one mind, and one will, This is a great mys- 
tery, but God has not yet revealed himself to us 
more clearly than this. 

Q. How do we confess the Holy Trinity ? 

A. We confess our belief in the Holy Trinity 
every time we bless ourselves with the sign of the 
cross, by touching our forehead, our breast, and our 
shoulders, and saying : "In the name of the Father 9 

and of the Son, *j* and of the Holy Ghost. + 
Amen. 



274 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



3. Of the Redemption of Mankind. 

Q. Have men always remained obedient to God ? 

A. No : the very first of all, Adam and Eve, dis- 
obeyed God by eating of the forbidden fruit in Para- 
dise, and thereby sinned. 

Q. Did this sin injure the first man only ? 

A. This original sin not only injured our first pa- 
rents, but it has also descended from them to all their 
children, so that we are all born in sin, and under 
the anger of God. 

Q. Have then all men been cast away forever from 
God, like the rebellious angels ? 

A. No : for God, in his great mercy, has given us 
a Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ. 

Q. Why do we call Jesus Christ our Redeemer ? 

A. Because he has redeemed us from the slavery 
of the devil, by dying for us. 

4. The Incarnation and Death of Jesus Christ. 

Q. Is not Jesus Christ God ? 

A. Yes : he is the second Person of the Holy 
Trinity ; that is to say, God the Son, begotten of the 
Father from all eternity. 

Q. Since Jesus Christ is God, how could he die 
for us ? 

A. He became incarnate for that purpose. 

Q. What is meant by the incarnation of Jesus 

Christ ? 

A. It means that the eternal Son of God came 
down from heaven to earth, and took to himself a 
human body and soul ; in other words, he became a 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 275 

Man like ourselves, in order that he might thus be 
able to die for us. 

Q. How did he accomplish this wonderful work 
of the incarnation ? 

A. He was conceived by the power of the Holy 
Ghost, in the womb of a virgin, and born of her into 
the world. 

Q. Who was this wonderful woman ? 

A. It was the Blessed Virgin Mary. And for this 
reason she is rightly called the Mother of God. 

Q. How did Jesus Christ die for us ? 

A. He was accused falsely by the Jews, and con- 
demned to death by Pontius Pilate. He then al- 
lowed himself to be nailed to the cross, on Mount 
Calvary, near the city of Jerusalem, where he died 
in great agony. 

Q. What became of the body of our Blessed Lord 
after his death ? 

A. It was laid in a sepulchre or tomb near 
by. 

Q. And what became of his soul ? 

A. His soul descended into Hell ; that is to say, 
into Limbo, where the souls of the Patriarchs and 
other holy men of old were waiting for the Redemp- 
tion. 

Q. Did the soul of our Lord remain long in Lim- 
bus? 

A. No. After three days his soul came back to 
be united once more to his body, and Jesus Christ 
raised himself again to life by his own power, and 
came out from the tomb. 

Q. Did our Lord then appear again in this 
world ? 

A. Yes ; but only for a little while. Forty days 



276 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



after his Resurrection, he ascended into heaven from 
the Mount of Olives, in presence of his disciples. 

5. Of Future Rewards and Punishments. 

Q. Will our Lord Jesus Christ ever come again? 

A. Yes. He will come again at the last day, 
accompanied by the holy angels, to judge the 
whole world, that he may reward the good and 
punish the wicked. This is called the General 
Judgment, 

Q. Will the bodies of the dead be present also at 
this judgment ? . 

A. Yes ; body and soul will be judged together ; 
for the bodies of the dead will arise on that day from 
their graves to be united once more to their souls, 
never again to be separated. 

Q. Will there be no other judgment before the 
general judgment at the end of the world ? 

A. Yes, certainly ; the soul of each man will be 
judged at the moment of his death. This is called 
the Particular Judgment, 

Q. After this particular judgment what will hap- 
pen ? 

A. The soul will then go either to Purgatory, or 
to Paradise, or to Hell. 
Q. What is Purgatory ? 

A. Purgatory is a place where some souls suffer 
for a while, on account of those sins which they have 
not expiated during this life. 

Q. What souls are they which go to Purgatory ? 

A. The souls of those who die in the grace of 
God, but are nevertheless still soiled by venial sins, 
or who have not done during their life sufficient pen- 
ance for their sins. 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 277 



Q. How may these poor souls in Purgatory be 
aided by us ? 

A. They may be aided, 1. By prayer. 2. By 
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 3. By other good 
works done for their sake. 4. By indulgences. 

Q. What is Hell ? 

A. Hell is a place of eternal torment, where the 
damned are punished forever. Those who die in 
mortal sin go there. 

Q. What is Heaven? 

A. Heaven is the blessed abode of the Saints, 
where the faithful servants of God are rewarded, and 
enjoy his presence forever. Those go to heaven 
who die in the grace of God. 



Q. Will all those be saved who have believed and 
professed the true Faith ? 

A. No: Faith is necessary to salvation, but of 
itself alone it is not sufficient. 

Q. Upon what other principle, then, will men be 
rewarded or punished at the day of judgment? 

A. They will be judged according to their works; 
that is to say, according to the sins they shall have 
committed, or the good works they may have done. 

6. Of Sin. 

Q. What is sin ? 

A. Sin is a wilful transgression of the law of God. 
Q. How many kinds of sin are there ? 
A* There are two kinds of sin ; namely, 1. Origi- 
nal sin. 2. Actual sin. 
Q. What is original sin ? 

24 



278 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



A. Original sin is that sin which Adam commit- 
ted in Paradise, and which we have inherited from 
him, being all born in sin. 

Q. How is original sin remitted ? 

A. Original sin is remitted in holy Baptism. 

Q. What is actual sin ? 

A. Actual sin is any sin which we commit our- 
selves ; in other words, it is the wilful violation of 
the law of God, after one has come to the age of 
reason. It is committed by thoughts, words, or ac- 
tions, or by the omission of what we ought to do. 

Q. What is mortal sin ? 

A. Mortal sin is a grievous offence against God, 
which kills the soul. 

Q. How does mortal sin kill the soul ? 

A. Mortal sin kills the soul, by separating it from 
God, and subjecting it to the punishment of hell. 

Q. What is venial sin ? 

A, Venial sin is a less grievous transgression of 
the divine law. It offends God and stains the soul, 
but does not ruin it. 

7. Of Good Works. 

Q. Is it true that good works are necessary to 
salvation ? 

A. Yes ; good works are certainly necessary to 
salvation, for "faith without works is dead? St. 
James, ii. 20. 

Q. What is meant by good works ? 

A. A good work is any right action, done in a 
state of grace, and with some holy motive. 

Q. Can a man, by any strength of his own, per- 
form such good works, so as to merit eternal life ? 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 279 

A. No: those truly good works which possess 
merit before God, and deserve salvation, can only be 
done with the help of God's grace. 



PART SECOND. 

THINGS WHICH IT IS NECESSARY FOR EVERY CATHO- 
LIC TO KNOW BY COMMAND OF GOD OR OF THE 
CHURCH. 

Q. What other things is every Catholic bound to 
know, besides what we have already mentioned ? 

A. Every Catholic is also bound to know, 1. The 
three most ordinary Christian prayers ; viz., the 
Lord's prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' 
Creed; and also, at least in substance, 2. The 
Commandments of God ; 3. The Precepts of the 
Church ; 4. The Sacraments, and especially those 
three which are necessary to every one ; namely, 
Baptism, Penance, and the Holy Eucharist. 

Q. Is it a mortal sin for a Christian to be igno- 
rant of these things ? 

A. Yes, if it be through his own wilfulness or ne- 
glect. 

I. The Ordinary Christian Prayers. 

Q. Is it necessary to pray ? 
A. Yes ; it is very necessary to our salvation. 
Q. Why is it so necessary ? 
A, Because it has been commanded by Jesus 
Christ. 

Q. Is it necessary for any other reason ? 

A. It is necessary also, for the reason that every 



• 



280 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 

man needs the grace of God to avoid sin and prac- 
tise virtue, and this grace is not obtained without 
prayer. 

Q. What prayer contains every thirjg for which 
we ought to pray ? 

A. Every thing we need to pray for is included 
in the Lord's Prayer. It is called the Lord's Prayer, 
because it was made for us by Jesus Christ himself. 

Q. Repeat the Lord's Prayer ? 

A. " Our Father," &c. (See page 15.) 

Q. What prayer after this one is the most re- 
markable I 

A. The Hail Mary. 

Q. Why is the Hail Mary so remarkable ? 

A. Because it is a very holy and efficacious pray- 
er, inspired by the Holy Ghost, and adopted by the 
Holy Church. 

Q. Repeat the Hail Mary. 

A. " Hail Mary, full of grace," &c. (Seepage 16.) 
Q. Is it also necessary to know the Apostles' 
Creed I 

A. Yes ; the Holy Church would have every Ca- 
tholic learn it by heart, and repeat it often. 

Q. Why is it called the Apostles' Creed ? 

A, Because it is believed to have been composed 
by the Apostles themselves. 

Q. Repeat the Apostles' Creed. 

A. "I believe," &c. (Seepage 16.) 

H. The Commandments of God. 

Q. Why are the Ten Commandments called the 
commandments of God ? 

A. Because they were given to us by God him- 
self on Mount Sinai. 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 281 



Q. Which are these Ten Commandments ? 

A. They are contained, in substance, in the fol- 
lowiog verses, which may easily be committed to 
memory : 

L One God alone, for evermore 

By faith, and hope, and love, adore. 

2. Thou shalt not take his name in vain. 

3. The Lord's day thou shalt not profane. 

4. Honor thy father, and thy mother. 

5. Thou shalt not hurt nor hate thy brother. 

6. Thou shalt do no adultery. 

7. Thou shalt not steal. 

8. Thou shalt not lie. 

9. Thou shalt have no impure desire, 
10. Nor to thy neighbor's goods aspire. 

Q. What do the first three commandments of 
God contain ? 

A. The first three commandments contain our 
duties towards God. 

Q. What do the seven other commandments 
contain ? 

A. The seven other commandments contain our 
duties towards our neighbor. 

Q. What does the First Commandment require ? 

A. The First Commandment requires us to be- 
lieve in the one only true God, to hope in him, to 
love him, and adore him. 

Q. What does the first commandment forbid ? 

A. It forbids Idolatry, Infidelity, Heresy, Super- 
stition, Witchcraft, Fortune-telling, and every kind 
of False worship. 

Q. Is it right to venerate the Angels and Saints ? 
24* 



282 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



A. It is right ; because we pay them no divine 
honor, but only honor them and implore their inter- 
cession with God, as being the friends of God. 

Q. Is it permitted to venerate holy images ? 

A. The veneration of holy images is permitted, 
because this veneration is not paid to the image 
itself, but to that which it represents. 

Q. Is it permitted to venerate holy relics ? 

A. The veneration of the relics of the Saints, or 
the remains of the bodies of the Saints, is also per- 
mitted, because this honor is referred to God, who is 
glorified in his Saints. 

Q. Is it a sin to join in the worship of heretics, 
or schismatics, or to be present at their meetings or 
preachings ? 

A. Yes, it is a sin to countenance their doctrines 
or their worship in any way. 

Q. What does the Second Commandment forbid t 

A. It forbids all blasphemy, and profanation of 
the holy Name of God ; all perjury, and rash or 
foolish swearing ; and all cursing. 

Q. What does this commandment require ? 

A. It requires us to honor the name of God, to 
speak with reverence of holy things, and to keep 
our lawful oaths and vows. 

Q. What does the Third Commandment require ? 

A. It requires us to attend divine service on Sun- 
days and Holydays, and to spend those days in devo- 
tion and good works. 

Q. What does it forbid ? 

A. It forbids all servile labor done without strong 
reasons of necessity, charity, or devotion. 

Q. What does the Fourth Commandment re- 
quire ? 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 283 



A. It requires that we should love, honor, obey, 
and help our parents ; that parents should provide 
for the wants of their children, instruct, govern, and 
watch over them; that husband and wife should 
live together in all duty and affection ; and that we 
should obey ail our superiors, both spiritual and 
temporal, and respect their authority. 

Q. What does this commandment forbid ? 

A. It forbids all disobedience, hatred, contempt, 
mocking, cursing, or abuse of parents and superiors. 

Q. What does the Fifth Commandment forbid-1 

A. It forbids eveiy outward act of violence against 
our neighbor ; such as murder, striking, &c, and all 
injurious and insulting words. It forbids, also, all 
inward hatred, anger, and enmity. 

Q. What else does this commandment forbid ? 

A. It forbids suicide, or self-murder, and the ex- 
posure of one's life and health without necessity or 
duty; also, to destroy or impair one's reason by 
drunkenness. 

Q. What does the Fifth Commandment require ? 

A. It commands us to love our neighbor, and 
even our enemies ; to live in peace and union with 
all, and to show a good example to those around us. 

Q. What does the Sixth Commandment forbid ? 

A, It forbids adultery, and every such like act of 
impurity ; all immodest looks, kisses, touches, and 
embraces, and all such light conduct, conversation, 
and familiarity as lead to sin. 

Q. What does this commandment require ? 

A, It requires us to be pure and chaste in all our 
words and "actions ; to govern and restrain all our 
sensual appetites, and also to avoid the occasions, 
of sin. 



284 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



Q. What does the Seventh Commandment for- 
bid ? 

A. It forbids all robbery, stealing, cheating, re- 
taining another's goods, extortion, violation of a law- 
ful contract, and every species of injustice. 

Q. What does this commandment require ? 

A. It requires us to render to every one his due ; 
and if we have done any wrong to our neighbor, to 
repair it. 

Q. What does the Eighth Commandment forbid ? 

A. It forbids all false witness, lying, slander, de- 
traction, unjust suspicion, and tale-bearing. 

Q. What does this commandment require ? 

A. It requires us to be truthful and sincere ; to 
defend the good name of our neighbor, and if we 
have said any thing to his injury, to repair it. 

Q. What does the Ninth Commandment forbid ? 

A. It forbids us to desire any thing which the 
Sixth Commandment forbids us to do ; also, to enter- 
tain any such dangerous thought, or take pleasure 
in it. 

Q. What does this commandment require? 

A. It requires us to cherish a strict purity in the 
heart, and to resist every unholy inclination from the 
beginning. 

Q. What does the Tenth Commandment forbid 1 

A. It forbids us to entertain the thought of com- 
mitting any theft, fraud, or injustice, or even to look 
upon the goods of our neighbor with a covetous eye. 

Q. What does this commandment require ? 

A. It requires us to guard against the spirit of 
avarice, 01 the inordinate love of riches. 

Q. What else do we learn from these last two 
commandments ? 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 285 



A. They teach us that God searches into our very 
hearts, and that he will judge our most secret 
thoughts and desires. 

III. The Commandments of the Church. 

Q. Are there no other commandments binding 
upon Christians ? 

A. Yes ; besides the ten commandments of God, 
the Christian is bound to obey the commandments 
of the Church. 

Q. Why is he bound to this ? 

A. The Christian is bound to keep the command- 
ments of the Church, because the Church has re- 
ceived from God the power to make laws; and 
because, being our spiritual Mother, we are bound 
as children to obey her. 

Q. How many commandments of the Church are 
there ? 

A. We count commonly five. They are the fol- 
lowing : 

1. Sundays and Holy Days observe 
As feasts of obligation ; 
Attend at holy Mass, and keep 
From servile occupation. 

2. Lent, Ember-days, and vigils fast, 
With one meal and collation. 

3. On Friday, meat thou must not eat, 
For sake of Christ's dear passion. 

4. Once in the year at least, confess 
With due examination. 



286 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



At Easter-time receive thy Lord 
With thanks and adoration. 

5. Think not in Lent or Advent time 
Of marriage celebration. 
Wed before witnesses, and seek 
The Church's approbation. 

Q. Are we bound to keep these laws of the 
Church as faithfully as the commandments of God ? 

A. We are ; for our Lord spoke to the Church 
when he said : " He that heareth you, heareth me : 
and he that despiseth you, despiseth me. (St. Luke, 
x.16.) 

IV. Of Grace, and the Sacraments. 

Q. Is man able to keep the commandments with- 
out the grace of God ? 

A. No ; without God's grace, no man is able to 
keep the commandments, or to obtain salvation. 
" Without me, you can do nothing" says our Lord 
Jesus Christ (St. John, xv. 5) ; and Saint Paul : " Our 
sufficiency is from God." (2 Cor. iii. 5.) 

Q. What do we mean by Grace ? 

A. Grace is an inward and supernatural gift of 
God, by which either he pardons and admits sin- 
ners to his friendship, or enables the just to avoid 
sin, to do good, to advance in holiness, and to attain 
to eternal salvation. 

Q. What are the principal channels by which the 
grace of God flows down to Christians ? 

A. The principal channel? of grace are the seven 
Sacraments. 

Q. What is a Sacrament ? 

A. A Sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 



287 



grace, instituted by Jesus Christ himself for our sane- 
tification. There is always an outward sign or cere- 
mony which we can see ; as, for example, the water 
in baptism. But there is also an inward grace which 
w r e cannot see ; as, in baptism the remission of sins 
is a grace w r hich cannot be seen. 

Q. How many Sacraments are there, and what are 
they called ? 

Jl There are seven Sacraments, namely : 1. Bap- 
tism. 2. Confirmation. 3. The Holy Eucharist. 
4. Penance. 5. Extreme Unction. 6. Holy Or- 
ders. 7. Matrimony. 

Q. Ought we to esteem the holy Sacraments very 
highly? 

A. Indeed, we ought to hold them in the highest 
veneration, because they were instituted by Jesus 
Christ himself, and because they are the fountains 
from which he supplies us with saving and sanctify- 
ing graces. 

Of Baptism. 
Q. What is Baptism ? 

A. Baptism is the Sacrament of Regeneration, in 
which man is born again to eternal life, by the wash- 
ing of water and the Word of God. 

Q. What are the effects of Baptism ? 

A. The principal effects of Baptism are, 1st, The 
pardon of sin, whether original, or actual ; 2d, The 
infusion of sanctifying graces into the soul ; and 3d, 
The indelible impress of the Christian character. 

Q. Is Baptism necessary to our salvation ? 

A. Yes ; it is necessary, and for all men. 

Q. Why is Baptism so necessary for all ? 

A. Because all men are born under the curse of 



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sin ; and because our Lord lias said that " unless a 
man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he 
cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (St John, 
iii: 5.) 

Q. Who is authorized to baptize ? 

A. The Priests of the Church ; but, in case of ne- 
cessity, any one can baptize. 

Q. How is this to be done ? 

A. Water is poured upon the head of the person 
to be baptized, while these words are pronounced : " / 
baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the 
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.' 1 '' The water 
must be common and natural water, and must be 
poured on by the same person who repeats the words ; 
and care must be taken to repeat the words exactly, 
aad to pronounce them at the same time that the 
water is poured on. 

Of Confirmation. 

Q. What is the Sacrament of Confirmation ? 

A. Confirmation is a Sacrament by which the 
Christian already baptized is fortified by the grace 
of the Holy Ghost to confess his faith firmly y and to 
regulate his life according to it. 

Q. How and by whom is confirmation admin- 
istered ? 

A. It is administered by the Bishop, who lays his 
hand upon the candidate, at the same time anointing 
his forehead with the holy chrism, and pronouncing 
the sacramental words. 

Q. What condition is necessary in order to receive 
this sacrament worthily ? 

A. It is above all necessary to be in the state of 
grace. 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 289 



Of the Holy Eucharist. 

Q. What is the Holy Eucharist? 

A. The Holy Eucharist is the most holy of all the 
Sacraments : it is the true body and blood of our 
Lord Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread 
and tvine. 

Q. Are the soul and divinity of our Lord also 
present in this sacrament ? 

A. Yes ; the whole person of Jesus Christ is there, 
living and entire. 

Q. Is it right to adore the Blessed Eucharist ? 

A, Yes ; we may and ought to adore it. 

Q. How and when are the bread and wine changed 
into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ ? 

A. This change is wrought by virtue of the words 
of consecration pronounced by the Priest during the 
Holy Mass ? 

Q. What is the Holy Mass? 

A. Holy Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the new 
covenant, the perpetual memorial of the bloody sac- 
rifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross. 

Q. Does Jesus Christ really die again in the sac- 
rifice of the Mass ? 

A. No ; his death and passion on the cross are 
only represented there, and a sacred remembrance 
made of it. 

Q. Is Jesus Christ then not really present in the 
Mass ? 

A. Yes ; he is truly present, and really offers him- 
self to his Almighty Father for our sins, upon the 
altar. 

Q. What is the Holy Communion ? 
A. The Holy Communion is that sacred feast, 
25 



290 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



when the faithful receive the Body and Blood of 
Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, as theii spiritual 
food. 

Q. Is it necessary to receive sometimes the Holy 
Communion ? 

A. Yes ; because Jesus Christ instituted this sacra- 
ment for the nourishing of our souls, and he himself 
has said : " Except ye eat my flesh, and drink my 
blood, ye have no life in you? (S. John, vi,) 

Q. May every Christian, without condition, receive 
the Holy Communion ? 

A. No; to receive worthily we must be in the 
grace of God. 

Q. What preparation then must the sinner make 
to entitle him to Communion ? 

A. He must do penance sincerely, and receive the 
absolution of his sins from the hand of a Priest. 

Q. Is any preparation necessary for the body also ? 

A. Yes ; it is necessary to be fasting from mid- 
night. 

Of Penance. 

Q. What is the sacrament of Penance ? 

A. Penance is a sacrament in which sins commit- 
ted after Baptism are remitted by the absolution of a 
Priest 

Q. From whence have the Priests received this 
power ? 

A. This power was given to his Priests by Jesus 
Christ, when he said : u Whose sins you shall for- 
give, they are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall 
retain, they are retained" (S. John, xx. 23.) 

Q. What conditions are necessary on the part of 
the penitent ? 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 



291 



A. It is necessary that he should confess his sins, 
with true contrition, and make satisfaction for the 
past. 

Q. What is Confession ? 

A. Confession is a faithful declaration of one's sins 
to a Priest. 

Q. What is a sacrilegious confession ? 

A. A sacrilegious confession is when, in confessing, 
one wilfully hides some mortal sin ; also when con- 
fession is made, without contrition, and the purpose 
of amendment. 

Q. What is the value of such a confession ? 

A. It is good for nothing, and must be all made 
over again. 

Q. What is the guilt of a sacrilegious confession ? 

A, It is a very grievous mortal sin, for it is a lie 
to the Holy Ghost, and the profanation of a sacra- 
ment. 

Q. What preparation is necessary in order to 
make a good confession ? 

A. It is necessary to pray to God for light and 
assistance, and to make a careful examination of con- 
science. 

Q. How must the Examination of Conscience be 
made ? 

A, It must be made with regard to all sinful 
thoughts, words, and actions ; and also upon the 
number of our sins, and those circumstances which 
multiply the sin, and change the nature of it. 

Q. What is Contrition ? 

A. Contrition is a hearty sorrow for sin, with the 
firm purpose of amendment. 

Q. What kind of contrition is necessary ? 

A. Contrition must be supernatural, that is to say, 



292 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



proceeding from some holy motive of faith. These 
motives are contained in the usual act of contrition. 

Q. Repeat this Act of Contrition. 

A. " my God, I am heartily sorry for all my 
sins, because by them I have lost heaven, and de- 
served the fire of hell, but more than all because I 
have offended thee, my God, who art infinitely 
good, and worthy of all my love ; but now I am 
firmly resolved, by the help of thy grace, never to sin 
against thee any more, and to avoid all the occasions 
of sin." 

Q. What is meant by an occasion of sin? 

A. An occasion of sin is any person, place, action, 
occupation, or amusement, which leads to the com- 
mission of sin. 

Q. What is Satisfaction ? 

A. Satisfaction is a temporal punishment accepted, 
or self-imposed for sin. It consists in prayer, fasting, 
alms-giving, and other works of penance. In the 
sacr ament of Penance, it is the penalty imposed by 
the Priest upon the penitent who confesses. 

Q. W'hat is Indulgence ? 

A. Indulgence is the remission, in whole or in 
part, of those temporal punishments which, after the 
pardon of sins, we have still to suffer in this life, or 
in the other. 

Q. What is necessary to gain an indulgence ? 

A. To gain an indulgence it is necessary, 1. To 
be in the state of grace ; 2. To fulfil exactly the con- 
ditions prescribed 

Of Extreme Unction. 

Q. What is Extreme Unction ? 

A. Extreme Unction is a sacrament in which by 



THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 



293 



the unction of the blessed oil, and the prayers of the 
Priest, the sick who are in danger of death receive the 
grace of God to the benefit of the soul, and sometimes 
of their bodily health. 

Q. Why ought the sick not to neglect this 'sacra- 
ment ? 

A. The sick ought never to neglect it on account 
of the many graces which they may obtain by re- 
eeiviug it. 

Q. What are the effects of Holy Unction ? 

A. It confers, 1. The increase of sanctifying grace. 
2. The remission of venial sins, and even of those 
mortal sins which the sinner cannot confess, or from 
which without his own fault he has never been ab- 
solved. 3. Deliverance from the debt of satisfaction 
still due to his sins. 4. Strength against temptations, 
and comfort in his dying hour. 5. Often also, the 
restoration of health. 

Of Holy Orders. 

Q. What is the Sacrament of Order ? 

A. It is a sacrament by which spiritual power and 
grace are given to a Minister of the Church rightly 
ordained. 

Q. What power do the Priests of the Church re- 
ceive through this sacrament ? 

A. The Priest receives at his ordination : 

1. The power to change the bread and wine into 
the true Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

2. The power to forgive sins. 

Of Matrimony. 

Q. W T hat is the Sacrament of Matrimony ? 
A. Matiimony is a sacrament by which man and 
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294 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



woman are united in Christian marriage, and receive 
grace to fulfil the duties of that state. 

Q. Can husband and wife ever be divorced, so 
that either may marry again ? 

A. ^So ; nothing but death can break the bond of 
Christian marriage. 

Q. What are those degrees of relationship within 
which it is unlawful to marry ? 

A. A marriage is not only unlawful, but also null 
and void : 

1. When contracted with a third cousin, or any 
nearer relation by blood. 

2. When contracted with the third cousin, or any 
nearer relation, of one's former wife or husband. 

3. A Godfather or Godmother cannot marry with 
their Godchild, or with the father or mother of their 
Godchild ; nor can a baptized person many with the 
one who baptized him. And the same is true of 
Sponsors in Confirmation, and the person confirmed. 



©f tlje $clj) Qatvammt of |Jnwnt£. 



"If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and 
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all 
iniquity" 1 John, i. 9. 

God, who knows the weakness of human nature, 
is full of compassion, and always ready to receive 
again into his grace the sinner who sincerely desires 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 



295 



to return to him. For this reason, in his infinite 
mercy, he has instituted the Sacrament of Penance, 
as a means of pardon and reconciliation for those who 
have lost the first innocence of their baptism. The 
original sin, in which all men are born, is washed 
away in the Sacrament of Baptism ; but, if, after 
baptism, the Christian falls again into mortal sin, the 
only means to escape from eternal death is Penance. 

The principal things to be considered in every 
Sacrament are the following : 1. The outward and 
visible sign or ceremony. 2. The invisible grace. 

3. The Minister, or dispenser of the Sacrament ; and 

4. Its institution by Jesus Christ. 

1. The outward visible sign of the unseen and in- 
ward grace given in the Sacrament of Penance, is 
the form of absolution pronounced by the Priest over 
the penitent, in these words : U I absolve thee from 
thy sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost and also the exterior signs 
manifested by the penitent, of an inward sorrow for 
his sins. 

2. The invisible grace of this Sacrament of Pen- 
ance is the pardon of sins. 

3. The Ministers of this Sacrament are the Priests 
alone. 

The institution of this great Sacrament by our 
Lord Jesus Christ is clearly seen in the Gospel. He, 
himself, in the most solemn marner, and with his own 
breath, gave the power to pardon sins to the Apostles, 
and after them, to their successors, the Bishops and 
Priests of the Church, when he said : "Receive ye the 
Holy Ghost, Whose sins you shall forgive, they are 
forgiven them ; and whose sins yon shall retain, they 
are retained^ St. John, xx. 22. 



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Our Blessed Lord declares by these words, that he 
communicates by the Holy Ghost to the Apostles, 
and their lawful successors in the apostolical minis- 
try, the power to exercise jurisdiction over the sins of 
men ; that those whom they absolve, shall be 
absolved by him also, while those to whom they 
refuse pardon, shall remain unforgiven by himself. 

The forgiving or retiring, of sins is not, by any 
means, committed to the mere arbitrary will or 
caprice of the Priest. He is bound to know the con- 
dition of the sinner, that he may pronounce upon 
him a just judgment ; but how could he come to any 
just decision, if he did not first know what the sinner 
had been guilty of? 

The sinner, too, by these words of Christ is strictly 
bound to make known his sins to the Priest, that is, 
to confess, and to leave himself to be judged by him 
according to his priestly power. Confession is there- 
fore one of the most important and essential parts of 
the holy Sacrament of Penance. 



THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT. 

The effects and advantages of this holy sacrament 
are almost beyond number. We can say with the 
Koman Catechism, that almost all the piety, holiness, 
and fear of God which through the divine mercy are 
to be found in Christendom are owing to sacramental 
confession. 

Its principal effects are : 

1. The forgiveness of sins. "When the penitent has 
with a sincere and contrite heart confessed his sins 



SACRAMEjSTT of pexaxce. 



297 



and the priest with uplifted hand has repeated over 
him the words, " I absolve thee from thy sins," at 
that very moment all the guilt of the sinner is par- 
doned for all eternity. What a consolation in the 
hour of death and in the day of judgment for the 
sinner who can look back upon a sincere confession ! 

2. It restores to the sinner sanctifying grace, the 
friendship of God, and a right to heaven. How un- 
happy do we consider the man who has lost the favor 
of some great patron, or who is suffering from the loss 
of fortune, or who has some powerful person for his 
enemy ! But far more unhappy is he who has lost 
God and Heaven. 

3. This sacrament obtains the remission of eternal 
punishment, as St. Paul declares: "There is, there- 
fore, now no condemnation to them that are in Christ 
Jesus." The pains of Hell are not for those who 
through the mercy of God are restored to his grace 
in the sacrament of Penance. 

4. It obtains that the merits of all the good works 
which we had done before, when we were in the state 
of grace, are restored to us again. O what a treasure 
of grace is the recovery of all our good works ! 
What exertions will not a man make to recover 
again the temporal goods which he has lost ? What 
then shall we consider too difficult for us, provided 
we can obtain the goods of eternal life ? 

5. It gives us a certain strength and divine power 
to preserve us from falling again into sin, and to 
make us persevere in virtue. O how many sinners 
have found in this sacrament the most sure defence 
against their passions and the best remedy to heal 
their spiritual wounds ! 

6. It restores to the sinner his lost peace of soul 



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and a quiet conscience. The Holy Spirit has declared 
that " there is no peace for the wicked" and that their 
life is full of pain and sorrow. How many have ex- 
perienced in their own case, that whereas they lived 
before confession as in a hell full of distress and 
anxiety, no sooner did they receive absolution than 
they felt so great a consolation that they believed 
themselves in paradise. 

7. In fine, the whole human family is deeply in- 
debted to this holy sacrament, for it is the preserver 
of good order, peace, and justice. How many sins of 
injustice and impurity, how many quarrels have been 
hindered, or terminated by it ! If it often happens 
that society is desolated by great crimes, it is com- 
monly because holy confession has been despised or 
carelessly made. Which are those in every congre- 
gation who give the greatest cause of grief to a zeal- 
ous Pastor ? generally those who seldom or never go 
to confession. These so-called Christians, who hardly 
go once a year to confession, and then with a heart 
as cold as ice, are usually wicked and God-forsaken. 
Dominico Soto, confessor to the Emperor Charles V., 
and one whose testimony cannot be called in question, 
relates, that the city of Nuremberg having gone over 
to the side of the heretics, afterwards sent an ambas- 
sador to the Emperor, to implore him that he would, 
by an imperial mandate, once more establish confes- 
sion among them, because, as they said, experience 
showed clearly that since confession had been given 
up among them, monstrous crimes had been com- 
mitted, of such a horrible kind as had never be£n 
known there before. 

In order to receive this holy sacrament rightly, the 
following conditions are required : 



SACEAMENT OF PENANCE. 299 



1. Examination of conscience. 

2. Contrition and the purpose of amendment. 

3. Confession. 

4. The absolution of the Priest. 

5. Satisfaction. 



I EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. 

The chief hindrance to true conversion, is that we 
do not know ourselves. We try to deceive ourselves 
by imagining that this and that is no sin. Many 
Christians live in a criminal ignorance of the com- 
mands of God and the duties of their station, — live, 
as it were, sunk in low desires and lusts, in a dis- 
gusting indifference and carelessness for every thing 
spiritual and divine, so that they lose all knowledge 
of God and of themselves. They may not, it is true, 
be murderers or thieves ; they may even have some 
natural virtues (as the heathen have also), and may 
call themselves honest and respectable people, but for 
all that they are any -thing but good Christians, or 
agreeable to God. When such persons make their 
confession, it may happen that they do not find them- 
selves guilty of any sin. Is it because they are so in- 
nocent and good ? Alas ! no, — all they need to lose 
this easy conscience is a true knowledge of them- 
selves, a knowledge which they have not, because 
they never make a thorough examination of their 
conscience. And who are they, for the most part, 
these Christians, so righteous in their own eyes? 
Mostly those who go to confession only once in the 
year, or perhaps have not made their confession for 



300 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



many years, and have hitherto lived in complete for- 
getfulness of their duties. These are the Christians 
who comfort themselves and lead others astray by 
saying : " O such and such a thing is no sin." " I 
don't see any harm in that." If, however, they were 
willing to be honest and would examine themselves 
faithfully, they would find themselves like a sepulchre, 
full of corruption. It must never be forgotten, how- 
ever, that the knowledge of one's self is a gift of God. 
St. Augustin prayed earnestly for it thus : " Lord ! 
grant that I may know Thee and myself also." 
Would you, dear Christian, from this time know 
yourself thoroughly, look to the Holy Ghost for light 
and help, and remember always to begin your self- 
examination by prayer. 

HOW MUCH TIME OUGHT ONE TO EMPLOY IN THE 
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE ? 

. 1. You must give as much time and attention to 
this as you are accustomed to give to any other very 
important business. What would a man do if he 
were involved in a lawsuit, the failure of which 
would cause him the loss of all his property ? Would 
he not search with the greatest care for every thing 
that could be of some service to him in his suit? 
And you, sinner, have you not, by falling into mor- 
tal sin, lost your title to Heaven and deserved Hell ? 
This very confession which you are about to make, 
and the examination of conscience before it, will per- 
haps decide for Heaven or Hell, for who knows if it 
is not the last one of your life? 

2. The time required for your examination of con- 
science cannot be exactly determined. One who con- 



SACRAMENT OF PEXANCE. 



301 



fesses often and has a very tender or timid conscience 
may easily tranquillize himself, for he is not likely 
to overlook any mortal sin. As to venial sins, he 
must not trouble himself too much, for, strictly speak- 
ing, he is not bound to confess them. 

3. On the other hand, a man who has hitherto 
lived sunk in sin, who has hardly confessed once in 
a year, who at almost every occasion has broken the 
law of God, must not be satisfied with a passing 
glance at his conscience. He must commence this 
important business of self-examination some days 
before confession. Durino- this time he should re- 

o 

main entirely recollected, and call to mind and se- 
riously consider every place where he has been, 
the persons with whom he has kept company, the 
business which he carried on, &c. ; otherwise he 
would only be able to confess a confused multitude 
of sins, without regard to number, kind, or cir- 
cumstance. 

4. Many examine themselves too superficially ; 
and this is the reason why they find so few sins to 
accuse themselves of in the confessional. How many 
business men and trades-people, if they went to the 
bottom of their conscience, would find many lies of 
no small consequence, much fraud and usury, many 
unlawful and unjust contracts ! But if they were to 
look carefully into their consciences, then the ill- 
gotten property belonging to others must be restored, 
with some damage, of course, to their own substance, 
and for this reason they are afraid to look into their 
own hearts. The shameless lovers of pleasure will 
not examine into their vices, because they do not wish 
to change their lives, and take great pains to convince 
themselves that what they are doing is no sin. 

26 



302 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



If you would not, my dear Christian, abuse this 
holy sacrament, but rightly make use of it for your 
own salvation, enter upon your examination of con- 
science as if Jesus Christ were judging you at the 
day of general judgment. Imagine yourself to be 
in the presence of your Saviour, really before you 
and sitting as your judge, and judge yourself in 
such a way that you may not be more severely 
judged some other day. " He who judges himself 
will not be judged." 



II. OF CONTRITION AND THE PURPOSE OF 
AMENDMENT. 

Contrition is a hearty sorrow for sin, with the 
firm purpose to sin no more. This true sorrow for 
sin, being the most important point in a good pre- 
paration for confession, requires to be carefully con- 
sidered and understood. 

1. Contrition is an essential condition of penance, 
so that the Priest can never absolve a sinner who 
gives no sign of true repentance. The absolution 
which a sinner receives who is not sincerely contrite, 
is worthless and sacrilegious. A confessor would 
commit a great sin against the holy sacrament of 
Penance, if he did not in every proper way assure 
himself of the contrition of the sinner. They are 
foolish and unjust therefore who complain, when a 
wise confessor, and one who fears God, refuses them 
absolution, because he can find in them no sign of 
true contrition. 

St. Gregory says : " He who is not truly converted 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 303 



receives no benefit, even if he does confess his sins." 
Christians without number make fruitless confessions, 
because they are not truly penitent. It is this want 
of contrition that makes the office of a Priest so 
difficult ; for it is not their duty merely to hear con- 
fessions and give absolution, but to do so according 
to the will of God. God ! what anxiety and 
distress do confessors suffer on account of so many 
sinners, who with hearts all cold and indifferent, 
enter the holy confessional, to run over their sins in 
a careless manner, as they would any other indiffer- 
ent affair, and whose whole conduct gives reason to 
suspect that they feel no sorrow for their sins. 

2. True contrition, however, be it well understood, 
is a supernatural virtue, and must be grounded upon 
supernatural- motives. In other words, it must spring 
from motives of faith, awakened in the heart by the 
consideration of the eternal truths of religion. To 
be sorry for our sins because they have brought us 
into shame, poverty, sickness, or any mere worldly 
misfortune, is no true contrition, and will not procure 
the pardon of our sins. Some persons, when they 
go to confession, appear more anxious to tell of their 
vexations and miseries than to accuse themselves of 
their sins. They do not desire so much to be par- 
doned, as to be comforted in their misfortunes. On 
the contrary, true contrition is a sorrow which comes 
from higher and holier motives. It is our Faith 
that weeps for the misfortunes of # the soul, and the 
injury done to God. If the unhappy sinner sincerely 
desires the pardon of his sins, his contrition must be 
of this kind, for God will accept no other. 

3. The best and purest motive for contrition is the 
divine love, which makes us grieve for our sins, and 



304 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS . 



detest them because of their ingratitude, and the 
injuiy done to a good and holy God. When this is 
the predominant motive, contrition is called perfect, 
and is so excellent a disposition, that, according to 
the Council of Trent, the soul may be reconciled by 
it to God, even before confession and the priestly 
absolution, provided there is also an earnest desire 
for these. Imperfect contrition (or attrition) is where 
the sinner is excited to sorrow, and to the purpose 
of amendment, by the consideration of the turpi- 
tude of his sins, or from the fear of hell, or because 
he has forfeited his right to heaven. These motives, 
although less perfect than that first mentioned, are 
nevertheless good, for they are true impulses of the 
Holy Ghost, and dispose one to receive the grace of 
pardon through the sacrament of penance. 

We must not, however, fall into the error of those 
who think that a feeble contrition is all they need, 
provided they confess their sins. True contrition, 
although it may be imperfect in its kind, is never 
feeble. It is true that the sincere penitent is often 
unconscious of any strong feeling of sorrow ; for con- 
trition does not properly consist in any feeling at all, 
but rather in the supernatural hatred and abhorrence 
of sin. Strictly speaking, however, a genuine con- 
trition can never be feeble ; otherwise it would not 
be sufficient to produce that firm and efficacious pur- 
pose of amendment, which is its natural and neces- 
sary fruit. It is tkerefore neither right nor safe to 
set narrow bounds to ourselves in this respect, but 
we should try to animate our souls more and more 
to a genuine, earnest, efficacious, and tender contri 
tion. Our forgiveness becomes then easier and surer, 
and our reformation more complete and lasting. 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 305 



4. The firm purpose of Amendment is the insep- 
arable companion of true contrition, and therefore a 
necessary condition to the forgiveness of sin. God 
requires of the sinner a new spirit, and a new life : 
"When the icicked turneth himself away from his 
wickedness, which he hath wrought, and doeth judg- 
ment and justice, he shall save his soul alive." (Ezech. 
xviii. 27.) It is impossible for God to pardon the 
sinner who still retains the will to offend him. He 
must be resolved to offend God no more, and this 
resolution must be no mere promise of the lips, or 
momentary emotion, but a sincere, firm, and effica- 
cious determination. 

Can the purpose of Amendment be called sincere 
in that man, who says to God, that he repents with 
his whole heart of having offended him, but who 
falls immediately into the same sins, after receiving 
absolution ? or that man who runs again into the 
same occasions of sin ; who does not avoid the per- 
sons who led him into sin before ; who frequents the 
same places of temptation ; who will not repair the 
injury he has done ; who will not consent to be re- 
conciled with his enemy ? in fine, who does not even 
make an honest, practical beginning of a good life, 
nor take the necessary means of perseverance ? Who 
can doubt that the confession of such a man is a 
mere mockeiy of penance ? Who can believe that 
his absolution was of any value ? 

5. What must you do then, my dear Christian, in 
order to excite in yourself this salutary sorrow for 
your sins, and this firm purpose of amendment ? 

In the first place it is necessary to place before your 
mind, and to meditate seriously upon those super- 
natural truths of our holy religion, which, as we have 
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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



already seen, furnish the only true motives of a gen- 
nine contrition, and of an effectual and lasting con- 
version. " Remember thy last end" says the Prophet, 
"and thou shalt never sin." (Ezech. vii. 20.) You 
will find the principal motives of this kind in the 
little Act of Contrition (page 292), which every one 
ought to learn by heart and repeat very often. You 
will find them also at much greater length in the 
Devout Exercises, preparatory to Confession. 

But above all, it is necessary to pray. Yes, poor 
sinner, pray earnestly to God for a true contrition ; 
pray for a firm and lasting resolution to sin no more ; 
for these holy dispositions of heart are gifts of God, 
which a man cannot have of himself, but must seek 
for through prayer. 

Remark. — 1. It is necessaiy for you to know, my 
dear Christian, that contrition for your sins must al- 
ways go before absolution, and therefore, as soon as 
you have examined, and remembered your sins, you 
ought to repent of them immediately, with the in- 
tention to receive the holy sacrament of penance. 
For if you should not have in your heart this sincere 
sorrow for your sins until after absolution, then both 
your confession and your absolution will be good for 
nothing. 2. Do not be too anxious, lest your sins 
should not be forgiven by God, because you do not 
feel any contrition. As the good tree is known by 
its fruit, so will your true contrition be known by your 
improvement. Therefore, it may be said for your 
consolation, that you may confidently hope your re- 
pentance is true when you have actually changed 
your life, and abandoned your sins. 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 



307 



III. OF CONFESSION. 

Confession, the third essential part of the holy 
sacrament of penance, is the accusation of all the 
sins one has committed, made to a Priest duly au- 
thorized to receive it, in order to obtain from him 
the absolution or pardon of them. In order to make 
this duty of confession more easy, attend to the fol- 
lowing rules : 

1. Imagine Jesus Christ himself before you, in the 
person of your confessor. 

2. Choose for your ordinary confessor a priest 
who has a great deal of mildness, a prudent zeal, 
and a true charity for sinners. Yet you must not 
think that, because you have done this, you cannot 
sometimes make your confession to some other con- 
fessor. 

3. Do not look on confession as a torture of the 
conscience, as infidels, heretics, and scoffers represent 
it, but the humble self-accusation of a child, who 
knows the kind compassion of his father, finds new 
consolation with every word, and is sure that his 
father will not be angrv, but forgive him gladly. 

4. Never let a long time pass without holy con- 
fession, for by this means you will find it ^asier, and 
certainly will derive more profit from it. 

5. If you have had the misfortune to fall into any 
mortal sin, give yourself no rest until you have con- 
fessed it. 

In order to secure yourself against the danger of 
hiding some sin through false shame, call to mind : 

1. That by concealing your sins, you become guilty 
of another sin. 



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2. If you conceal it from your confessor, you can- 
not hide it from God. 

3. Through such concealment, you will only in- 
crease the trouble of your conscience, and sooner or 
later you must confess the hidden sin, or else die with 
it, and be eternally lost. 

4. Sin deserves shame ; and therefore it is only 
another mark of your impenitence, if you are un- 
willing to submit yourself to this mortification. 

5. Such concealment exposes you to the danger 
of being put to shame in the presence of all crea- 
tures, at the day of judgment, and of burning for- 
ever in hell-fire. Ah! if a lost soul could come 
from hell, and find a Priest, would he be ashamed to 
confess ? 

6. Tell me, would you not show to the physician 
of your body your most secret wounds, if you hoped 
to be healed ? Much more should you discover the 
sickness of your soul to your spiritual physician, if 
you would not die eternally. 

7. Your confessor will be so much the more 
pleased, the more he sees in you the grace of con- 
version by the sincerity of your heart, for he knows 
only too well what human weakness and misery is, 
and therefore will have compassion for you, and is 
bound under the heaviest penalties, botxx of temporal 
and eternal punishment, to keep forever the strictest 
silence. 

WHAT IS IT NECESSARY TO CONFESS ? 

1. Every mortal sm must be confessed. If know- 
ingly you conceal a mortal sin in holy confession, 
you will not only obtain no pardon of your other 
sins, but you are guilty besides of sacrilege. If you 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 309 



have to confess the sins of many years, do not be 
distressed if you cannot remember all of them. A 
sincere intention to confess them all, with a careful 
examination of your conscience, is enough ; all that 
you are really unable to do yourself, is supplied by 
this holy sacrament itself. 

As for those smaller sins which are called venial, 
vou are not bound to confess them, yet it is prudent 
and useful to do so, especially when you cannot well 
decide with certainty, between what is venial, and 
what is mortal sin. 

If you have a doubt whether you have committed 
a mortal sin, or whether you have already confessed 
it, the best way is to lay this doubt, together with 
the sin, before the priest. 

2. You must confess those circumstances which 
change the nature of the sin, or increase the number. 
For example : If the person with whom you com- 
mitted the sin of impurity was a married person, 
you must mention this fact, because it shows that 
you are also guilty of adultery. It is also a much 
more guilty thing to utter a calumny in presence of 
a large company than before a few persons ; before 
neighbors of the one you slander, than before stran- 
gers ; or to steal a large sum of money, rather than 
a small one ; or if you take a small sum very often, 
rather than once or twice only. 

3. You must confess the number of your mortal 
sins, as near as you can remember. If you cannot 
remember the exact number, then say : It was 
about so many times, or so many times, more or 
less. 

If you have to make confession for many years 
back, and cannot exactly remember how often you 
16 



310 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



have committed a sin, you should at least say how 
long the habit continued, about how often in a day, 
in a week, or a month, you fell into that sin ; and if 
the habit was interrupted for a while, say how long. 

Remark. — Omit all other relations and circum- 
stances which do not belong to confession. Never 
name the guilty persons connected with you ; but, 
where it is necessary in order to show the nature of 
the sin, state simply the condition of the person, or 
your relationship with him, as far as may be, in 
general words, that the confessor, if possible, may 
not know who the other guilty person is. For ex- 
ample : u I have been guilty of the sin of impurity 
with a person related to me in the first, or in the 
second degree, or with a married person, or with one 
consecrated by vow to God." That is enough ; men- 
tion no names. 

THE MANNER OF MAKING CONFESSION. 

1. Y/hen you go to the confessional, do not press 
before others. While you are waiting for your turn, 
do not distract yourself by looking around and talk- 
ing, but with a sorrowful, although trustful heart, 
pray to God for the forgiveness of your sins. If you 
have long to wait, you may read any thing in your 
prayer-book which relates to holy confession, or say 
the Rosary, or meditate upon some spiritual subject. 

2. Do not place yourself so near the confessional 
as to hear the confessions of those who are there be- 
fore you. If ever you should by any accident hear 
any sin confessed, you are bound to keep it secret 
under pain of sin. Any one who listens from curi- 
osity is also guilty of sin. 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 



311 



3. When you are about to kneel down before 
your confessor, arouse yourself once more to a true 
contrition and sorrow for your sins, and imagine 
Jesus Christ actually before you in the person of the 
priest. Be very careful during confession to observe 
the greatest possible modesty in your words and 
manner. Do not speak too loud, so that persons 
around may hear, and not so low, that even your 
confessor cannot understand you. If you do not 
understand him well yourself, do not let him go on 
speaking to no purpose, but tell him so at once. 

4. To begin your confession, make the sign of the 
cross, and say: "Bless me, Father, that I may 
make a good confession.'''' Then repeat the Confi- 
teor, thus: iL I confess to Almighty God, to the 
Blessed Mary, ever Virgin" &c. (See page 32.) 
Then, first of all, tell your Confessor how long it is 
since you made your last confession — whether that 
confession was a good one — whether you received 
the absolution of your sins from the priest — and 
if you have performed your penance imposed upon 
you. 

5. If at your last confession, or any former ones, 
you have concealed a mortal sin, you must now 
mention it, and explain whether it happened inten- 
tionally through false shame, or bad vwll, or only 
through forge tfulness. If in former confessions you 
have intentionally kept back your sins, you must 
make these confessions again, and tell also how 
many confessions and communions you have made 
since the first one in which you concealed your sin. 

6. If at your last confession you did not receive 
absolution, you must not fail to mention it, and give 
the reason why it was refused you. 



312 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



7. Likewise, if you did not perform the penance 
imposed upon you, did not make restitution of what 
belonged to another, did not make reparation for the 
injury you had done to another's reputation, were 
not reconciled to your enemy, or have not been 
careful to shun the occasions of sin, you must men- 
tion it. 

8. These matters being explained as far as it is 
necessary, go on now to make your confession hum- 
bly, penitently, clearly, and in few words, without 
covering up your sins, and without false excuses. 

9. If at any time yourconfessor postpones giving 
you absolution, submit with docility to his decision ; 
consider in a spirit of justice and humility that he is 
bound to act according to his conscience and his 
priestly duty, and do not hasten to another confessoi 
in the hopes of finding him more easy, and receiving 
a more speedy absolution. 

10. If you have already made a good general 
confession, and, through the grace of God, from that 
time forward, have been kept from great sins, or if 
you have the pious custom of going to confession 
often, and cannot call to mind any great sin since 
your last confession, then it is well to include in your 
present confession some sin already confessed of your 
former life, selecting for that purpose one for which 
you have a great contrition : say, for example, " I 
also wish to include in this confession a sin which I 
have formerly committed — of hatred — or impurity 
— or dishonesty," (as the case may be). In this 
case, as it is something already confessed, you need 
not explain any further. 

11. Conclude your confession in the following 
words: "For these, and all my other sinj which I 



SACEAMEXT OF PEXAXCE. 



313 



may have forgotten, I am heartily sorry, and I 
humbly ask of you, Reverend Father, penance, and 
absolution, if youM think me worthy? Listen now 
humbly to whatever your confessor may have to 
say; — pay attention to the penance which he im- 
poses upon you for your sins, that you may not for- 
get it ; and when you perceive that he is about to 
give you his absolution, begin immediately the act 
of contrition. 

(For the proper act of contrition, see the Little 
Catechism^ page 292.) 

12. Be sure never to speak with others unneces- 
sarily of your confessions, even if it were^only to tell 
them what good instruction your confessor has given 
you ; for what the confessor has said to you is for 
you alone, and might be easily misunderstood and 
abused by others. 



IV, OF ABSOLUTION. 

Absolution is the sentence pronounced by the 
priest in the place of God, forgiving the sinner who 
has confessed his sins. He does what Jesus Christ 
would do if he were upon the earth. For the priest 
is sent by Jesus Christ the Son of God, with the 
same power to remit sins with which he himself was 
sent by his heavenly Father. 

But the priests have not unlimited power to give 
absolution in the holy sacrament of penance to 
whom they wilL For they must be governed in 
this matter by the laws of God and the holy Church. 
If a priest gives absolution to a sinner who does not 
27 



314 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



sincerely wish to amend, and who has not the good 
dispositions of a true penitent, then God does not 
sanction the absolution. • 

Why do some Christians urge the priest so much 
to give them absolution? Why do they trouble 
him so much for what can only turn to their own 
sorrow ? And why do they treat him with rudeness 
and insolence when he refuses them absolution, and 
try to injure him in the good opinion of others? 
Such calumniators only publish their own shame 
wherever they go, but the priest cannot, in order to 
please them, violate the laws of God and of the holy 
Church. Should he consent to damn himself eter- 
nally, and his penitent with him ? Of what use can 
absolution be, if it is disavowed by God ? Such an 
absolution could only bring to a man a vain and de- 
ceitful peace, which is more to be feared than the 
greatest anxiety ! 

WHAT PERSONS ARE UNFIT TO RECEIVE SACRAMEN- 
TAL ABSOLUTION? 

1. Those who live in the habit of any mortal sin : 
for example, of drunkenness, impurity, blasphemy, 
violation of the fasts of the Church or of the Lord's 
day, <fec. Absolution is a grace purchased at the cost 
of the blood of Christ. The holy communion is the 
greatest and holiest sacrament of religion ! A man, 
then, who has lived in the habit of sin for many 
years,* and who has been admonished again and 
again — is he likely to become at once entirely con- 
verted ; or is the priest bound to believe him to be so, 
whenever he presents himself at the confessional 
through mere force of habit, or perhaps at Easter to 
gain a false quiet for a troubled conscience, and gives 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 315 



no other sign of true penance than a fine promise, 
such as he made often before and never kept ? In- 
deed, the sinner must show, in such case, more than 
ordinary signs of contrition before the Priest can ven- 
ture to make an exception for him. 

2. Those who will not avoid the proximate occa- 
sion of sin : for example, such as live in a criminal 
and dangerous connection with persons of another sex 
or of their own ; or who allow others to be in such 
sinful occasions, when they can prevent it, and are in 
duty bound to do so ; or those who, after repeated 
admonitions, read bad and corrupting books, or news- 
papers, or sell, or give them to others to read for love 
of money or false friendship ; and again, those who 
will not refrain from visiting and encouraging secret 
societies forbidden by the Church, or meetings where 
religion and morality are spoken against. Those 
women also, who, in spite of every admonition, are 
the occasions to others of sin by their indecent and 
immodest dress ; also all grocers, or tavern-keepers, 
or heads of families who permit gatherings at their 
houses during the time of divine service, and to the 
neglect of the same, or entertain disorderly company 
at late and scandalous hours. 

3. Those who will not repair the injury they have 
done to their neighbor, either in body or soul, prop- 
erty, or good name; and also those who will not 
pay their debts when they are able to do so. 

4. Those who will not be reconciled to their ene- 
mies, and those who will neither salute nor speak to 
persons against whom they have an ill will. 

5. Those, finally, who are not sufficiently instruct- 
ed in the Faith, and especially in those articles 
necessary to salvation. 



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All these persons who have been mentioned above, 
are unfit for absolution, so long as they remain in the 
same bad state. 



V. OF SATISFACTION, OR WORKS OF PENANCE. 

By Satisfaction, we mean, that reparation which 
the sinner is bound to make for his offences committed 
against God, and for the wrong he has done to his 
neighbor. 

We are under the strictest obligations to satisfy an 
offended God, and although the guilt and eternal 
punishment of sin is remitted by absolution, yet there 
is still remaining a temporal satisfaction to be made, 
either in this or in the other life. 

Formerly, the Canons, or rules of penance in the 
Church, were very severe, although certainly very just, 
for the Church, tender mother that she is, would never 
inflict a heavier penance than God requires. In those 
days, the guilty sinner under penance in the Church 
was obliged to appear in public, with the garments of 
a penitent, fast on bread and water at least three times 
a week, and was not allowed to receive holy commu- 
nion. Whoever, for example, had taken a false oath, 
must fast on bread and water forty days. Any one 
who performed servile labor on a Sunday or Holy 
day, must do penance three days on bread and water. 
Whoever engaged in talking during divine service, 
was required to fast ten da\s on bread and water. If 
a woman, in order to conceal her sin, destroyed her 
child, she was obliged to do penance for her sins on 
bread and water for ten years. A year of fasting was 



SACRAMEXT OF PENAXCE. 



317 



required of a young man, for impurity committed 
with a girl ; three years for adultery, and even some- 
times fifteen. If any one cursed his parents, he was 
obliged to fast on bread and water forty days; and 
if he struck them, seven years. 

When the zeal and faith of Christians had declined, 
the Church, that good and tender mother, condescend- 
ing to their weakness, and anxious not to expose so 
great a number of her children to give themselves 
up to entire corruption, relaxed in a great measure 
from this former rigor, and the penances imposed at 
the present time are extremely mild. The Holy 
Church, however, expects of sinners, that they will 
voluntarily perform other good works of penance. 
She encourages them also to gain indulgences for the 
sins which they have committed, that they may have 
less to suffer in Purgatory. 

Nevertheless, according to the holy Council of 
Trent, confessors are bound to " enjoin salutary and 
suitable penances, according to the magnitude of the 
sin, and the circumstances of the penitent, for fear 
that, by treating sinners with too great indulgence, 
and imposing on them slight penances for great sins, 
they may be held accountable for the sins of others." 
(Session xiv.) 

If, however, the slight penance that your Father- 
confessor gives you appears too great, remember that 
God is just, that you will suffer far greater pains in 
another life, and that, with a different and easier 
penance, you would soon fall back into your former 
sin. 

The works of satisfaction are : prayer, fasting, and 
almsgiving ; for in these works are included all that 
is contrary to the corrupt nature of man. We can 
27* 



318 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



also make satisfaction to God by means of those 
sufferings which he himself sends, if we bear them 
patiently ; for example, sickness, poverty, misfortunes, 
persecutions, &c. 

The penitent is bound to accept the penance which 
his confessor gives him. But if he thinks it too 
difficult for him, either on account of weak health or 
poverty, or from want of time, or any other cause, 
he must say so to his confessor, and ask to have it 
changed. Although one has not received absolution, 
he ought, for all that, faithfully to perform tbe pen- 
ance required of him, otherwise he would show that 
he has no serious desire to amend. 

If, however, the penitent has received absolution, 
and accepted the penance imposed, but through his 
own fault neglects to perform his penance, or any 
considerable part of it, he commits a new sin, be- 
cause nothing less than a very strong reason, as, for 
example, an attack of sickness, could absolve him 
from it ; for the penance, being an integral part of 
the sacrament, it follows that it is one of the most 
necessary and important duties of a true penitent to 
perform it faithfully. For the same reason, the pen- 
ance must be performed entirely at the time appoint- 
ed, and devoutly. 

HOW OFTEN OUGHT ONE TO GO TO CONFESSION? 

That divine precept which makes confession 
necessary, obliges us especially : 

1. When we have committed a mortal sin, and 
then as soon as possible. For reason itself teaches 
us to escape at once from a situation so dangerous as 
that into which we are brought by mortal sin. How 



SACRAMENT OF PENANCE. 



319 



shocking it is, then, for a Christian, who finds him- 
self in a state of damnation, to remain unconcerned 
in that condition ! Certainly those commit another 
great sin, who allow months and years to pass by 
without confessing the mortal sins which lie upon 
their souls. 

2. When toe are at the point of death. The Church 
directs the physician to admonish the sick who are 
dangerously ill, before any thing else to make their 
confession. Parents, guardians, friends, and attend- 
ants upon the sick, have also to fear a dreadful 
account before God, if they provide too late for the 
confession of the sick, or through their fault, allow 
them to die without confession. 

3. At least once in the year. By the precept of 
the Church, all the faithful are required to confess 
their sins once every year. 

Although the above obligations are the only ones 
which are strictly binding, yet, of course, it is highly 
useful and advisable to confess much oftener, because 
it greatly promotes purity of heart, strengthens the 
weakness of our corrupt nature, makes us more 
humble, and increases in us the fear and dread of 
sin. 

Besides this, you ought to confess often, that you 
may the oftener receive communion. For it is the 
desire of the Church, guided always by the Holy 
Ghost, that during Mass the faithful should, as much 
as possible, take part in the holy Sacrifice, not only 
spiritually, but also really by communicating, as we 
see in the decrees of the Council of Trent. (Sess. 22, 
Cap. 6.) The Roman Catechism, too, which explains 
this desire of the Council, admonishes all the clergy 
to exhort the faithful to receive communion oftener, 



320 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 

and even daily, for as the body for its support needs 
daily food, so does the soul need spiritual nourish- 
ment for its support. 

If it is not possible to receive communion daily, it 
is at least possible to receive it more frequently than 
most Christians do. 



(&mtvai (EcmfeBsiott. 



Fob many Christians, if they are really desirous 
of a sincere and thorough conversion, it is necessary 
to make a general confession ; and to others, it is 
highly important, in order to lay the foundation of a 
pious Christian life. 

A general confession is one in which the penitent 
reviews the confessions of his past life; accusing 
himself sincerely, and with a contrite heart, of all 
the sins which he has committed, either from his 
youth up, or since his first mortal sin, or since the 
time when first he made a bad confession, or one 
which he has good reason to fear was bad. 

St. Francis de Sales, that great saint, and most 
amiable Master in the spiritual life, says, " that for 
the greatest part of men, a general confession is neces- 
sary to secure the soul's salvation." " A general con- 
fession," says the saint, " gives us a more complete 
knowledge of ourselves : it fills us with a salutary 
shame at the sight of our sins ; it relieves the mind 
of much anxiety, and gives the conscience true peace; 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



321 



it excites in us good resolutions ; it shows us how 
wonderful is the mercy of God, which has waited 
for us with such great patience*; it enables our con- 
fessor to give us more suitable directions ; it opens 
the heart, so that in future we are able to make our 
confessions with more confidence." 

The great advantage of a general confession is 
best seen at the hour of death. Who would not 
wish, when at the point of appearing before the tri- 
bunal of God — at that dreadful moment which is to 
decide his fate for all eternity — who would not wish 
then, that he had faithfully and penitently made a 
general confession of his whole life ? What a con- 
solation for a dying Christian, if, before sickness at- 
tacked him, he had thus already put in order ail 
these pressing affairs of his soul ! How can any one 
allow himself to approach that last moment, remain- 
ing still careless for the salvation of his soul ? How 
awful for him, then, first, to open his eyes upon his 
whole past life, at the moment when he is about to 
close them forever ! Our Saviour says : " Watch ye 
and be ready, for the lord of that servant shall come 
in a day that he ho2)eth not, and in an hour that he 
hnoweth not.' 1 '' (St. Mat. xxiv. ; St. Luke, xii.) 

A man of high rank came one day to a mission- 
ary, and begged him to hear his general confession. 
The Priest asked him why he wished to make it 
then. " Ah, reverend sir," answered the gentleman, 
M am I not to die ? After such a sinful life, I cannot 
die in peace, uuless I make a general confession ; 
and if I do not make it now, I foresee that at the hour 
of death I shall not be able to do it as I ought, My 
wife, my children, the terror of that last moment, my 
sufferings, will ail deprive me of the necessary recol- 



322 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



lection of mind, and I shall not have that tranquillity 
so necessary to such an important duty. It, then, 
would be a great folly for me to delay this until the 
last moment of my life." This pious gentleman had 
well considered the words of our Saviour, in the gos- 
pel : " Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, 
when he cometh, shall find watching" (St. Luke, 
xii. 37.) 

If, then, dear Christian, you see that it would be 
useful for you to make a general confession, do not 
delay it too long, but set about it with promptitude 
and courage. But if this general confession is not 
only useful, but even necessary, allow yourself no 
rest until it is done. When you lie down on your 
bed to-night, remember that this night may be your 
last, and say to yourself: What should I wish I had 
done, if I were lying on my death-bed ? Be not de- 
ceived by the devil, who will strive to quiet you with 
the vain delusion that you have not time, or that it 
is too difficult. He will bring up before you various 
obstacles, and a thousand occupations ; to-day this, 
to-morrow that, and this he will continue until you 
have neither time nor opportunity left, and at length 
even have lost the grace to do what was so needful 
for your eternal salvation. Be on your guard against 
the deceptions of this lying spirit. 

FOR WHOM IS GENERAL CONFESSION NECESSARY ? 

It is necessary to all those whose former confes- 
sions were bad. 

When the confessor asks the penitent if there is 
nothing in his former confessions to cause him dis- 
tress and anxiety, he answers commonly without 



GENERAL CONFESSION". 



323 



reflection^nd says : " I always confessed what I re- 
membered." But if the confessor were to question 
him with regard to any particular sin, especially 
the sin of impurity, which makes many so dumb in 
the confessional, he would find in many a case that 
a general confession is necessary. Eeflect then, care- 
fully, upon what follows : 

1. Whoever, through shame or bad will, has con- 
cealed any mortal sin whatever, or has not been will- 
ing to confess some essential circumstance ; or who, 
through a reckless indifference, or a guilty blindness 
of conscience, has not confessed some mortal sin, be- 
cause he did not like to consider it as such, to him 
a general confession is necessary from the time when 
these bad confessions began, and this under the pen- 
alty of eternal damnation. 

2. A general confession is necessary also for those 
who have always made their confessions carelessly, 
and without a sufficient examination of conscience, 
and are almost sure in this way to have overlooked 
many a mortal sin. 

3. For those also who have indeed confessed, and 
received absolution, but who are quite ignorant of 
the principal mysteries of faith ; and those who, 
through their own fault, know little or nothing of the 
commandments of God, and of the church, the na- 
ture of the holy Sacraments which they have re- 
ceived, and the necessary duties of their station. 

4. For these also who have confessed merely 
through human respect or custom, without any true 
contrition for their sins, and without any intention 
not to commit them again. Still more, it is necas- 
sary for those who have purposely selected for their 
confessor a Priest who could not understand them 



224 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



well, or one who always gave easy absolutions, with- 
out proving and questioning them, and even without 
seriously admonishing them, when they were en- 
gaged in sinful habits, or living in the occasions of sin. 

5. For those also who have continued to live in 
the proximate occasions, or in habits of mortal sin, 
the same after confession as before. 

6. For those also who were bound to make resti- 
tution either of the property, or of the good name of 
their neighbor, but who had no sincere intention 
when they confessed, to repair the injury done, pro- 
mising, perhaps, but never willing to do so. 

1. It is necessary also for those who have con- 
tinued to live at enmity with their neighbors, with- 
out becoming reconciled to them, or even wishing 
to be reconciled. 

All these have been unworthy of absolution ; and 
if they received it, it was always good for nothing in 
the sight of God, and therefore they all need to make 
their confessions over again. 

FOR WHOM IS A GENERAL CONFESSION VERY 
USEFUL ? 

1. For some, it is the beginning of a new and 
holy life. Experience teaches that many Christians, 
after a good general confession, fall no more back 
into their former sins. Therefore, St. Ignatius Loyola 
recommends it to all those, who are truly and earn- 
estly desirous of a thorough conversion to God. 

2. For all who are thinking of a change of state, 
or who are about to enter on an important office, or 
commence a dangerous journey. 

3. When death is drawing near, this is the best 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 325 



preparation for a happy eternity, and the most cer- 
tain means to obtain peace of conscience. Many 
saints, as for example, St. Eleazar, and St. Margaret, 
made a general confession before their last hour, 
with the greatest contrition of heart. 

Observation. — A general confession would be 
hurtful to those souls naturally timid and uneasy, 
who wish to make one on account of false scruples 
of conscience. Such persons should rather content 
themselves with frequent acts of contrition. Their 
only security is to be found in implicit obedience 
their confessor. 



(Examination of Conscience fyv a <S>enerai 
Confession. 



PREVIOUS QUESTIONS. 

I. How long ago did you make your last confession? 
How many weeks, months, years ? Did you then 
receive absolution? Did you perform your pen- 
ance ? 

II. Was that confession a good one or a bad one ?* 
Did you wilfully conceal any mortal sins? or, did you 



* N. B. — Some persons, who have made sacrilegious con- 
fessions, think all can be made right again by making a 
general confession, without giving the true reason why they 
wish to do so. This is a mistake. It is not only necessary 
to make all these confessions over again, but they are bound 
to acknowledge that they have confessed and* communed 
sacrilegiously, and how often ; and to state also what other 
Bacraments they have received in this state of sin. 

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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



confess without true sorrow for them, having no sin- 
cere intention to amend your life ? or, without honestly 
intending to perform your penance ? If so, it was a 
bad one, and a sacrilege. 

Did you go after this bad confession to communion ? 
If so, it was another sacrilege. How many such sac- 
rilegious confessions and communions have you made ? 

III. Have you been guilty of sacrilege, by violating 
any other sacraments? By receiving Baptism un- 
worthily, or by receiving Confirmation, Marriage, or 
Extreme Unction in mortal sin ? 

ON THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. 
" I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have 
strange gods before me" &c. 

To fulfil this commandment, it is necessary to serve 
God by faith, by hope, by love, and by the proper acts 
of outward religious worship. Examine yourself, 
therefore, as fdllows : 

I. Have you ever denied the Catholic Faith ? Have 
you openly rejected any doctrine of the Catholic 
fchurch?. Have you spoken against any such doc- 
trine? Have you disbelieved, or indulged doubts 
against any article of faith ? Have you suggested or 
encouraged such doubts in others ? How often ? 

Have you sometimes betrayed the Catholic faith by 
saying that all religions are good, or that a man may 
be saved in one as well as another? How many 
times ? 

Have you read Protestant bibles, tracts, or other 
books on matters of religion circulated by heretics 2 
Have you kept them in your house, or sold them, or 
given them to others to read? How many times? 
Have you joined in the worship of heretics, either pub- 
lic or private? Have you gone to their churches? 
Have you listened to their preaching ? How often ? 

Have you exposed your faith to danger by evil as- 
sociations? Have you united yourself to the Free- 



GENERAL C0NFES*3I0N. 



327 



Masons, or Odd-Fellows, or any similar society for- 
bidden by the Church ? 

Have you by your own fault remained in ignorance 
of the doctrines and duties of your religion ? 

II. Have you lost confidence in the mercy of God? 
Have you positively despaired of your salvation ? On 
the contrary, have you rashly presumed on the mercy 
of God, thinking you might safely go on in your sins ; 
that God would not punish you for them ; that you 
might trust in the merits of Jesus Christ without 
abandoning them? 

III. Have you lived in entire forgetfulness of God, 
continuing for a long while, even a whole month, with- 
out any act of love or gratitude to him ? 

Have you even conceived in your heart a sort of 
hatred to God? Have you wished there were no 
God ? Have you murmured angrily against him ? 
Have you manifested your indignation against him by 
angry looks or gestures ? How many times ? 

IV. Have you neglected to pray when in danger of 
death, or when- strongly tempted to mortal sin ? Have 
you sometimes passed a long while, even a whole 
month, without prayer of any sort ? How often ? 

Have you ever committed sacrilege, by the pollution 
or profanation of a church, or other holy place ; or of 
any holy relic, or image, or vessel, or vestment, or 
other blessed or consecrated thing? How many 
times? Have you been guilty of sacrilege, by striking, 
or in any way profaning the person of one consecrated 
to God ? How many times ? 

Have you been guilty of great irreverence in the 
Church, by immodest actions or conversation, — by an 
indecent way of dressing, or by some gross misconduct 
in gazing about and laughing? How often ? 

Have you consulted fortune-tellers? Have you 
made use of card-cutting, tossing cups, or any such 
superstitious practices, to find out things, or recover 
things lost? How many times? Have you been 
guilty of witchcraft, or made use of any spells, or 



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charms, or other like inventions of the devil ? How 

often ? 

Have you consulted dream-books, books of astrolo- 
gy, &c. ? Have you kept them in your house, or given 
them to others to read ? How often ? 



ON THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 

u Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God 
in vain" 

This commandment is broken by blasphemy, by 
wicked oaths, by cursing, and by the violation of 
vows. Examine your conscience thus : 

I. Have you been guilty of blasphem} r , by angry, 
injurious, or insulting words spoken against God him- 
self!, against his power, his justice, his goodness, or 
other perfections ? How many times ? 

Have you pronounced any sacred name of God, or 
of the Saints, in a blasphemous or irreverent manner ? 
How many times ? 

Have you spoken in a blasphemous manner of sacred 
things ; for example, of the Holy Sacraments, the 
Crucifix, the cross, or sacred relics? How many 
times ? 

Have you abused the words of Holy Scripture, by 
any indecent, or grossly irreverent application ? How 
often ? 

II. Have you ever sworn to a lie, upon the Bible, or 
other sacred thing, or by the name of God, or by his 
Saints, or upon your own soul, or in such like man- 
ner? How many times? Have you ever wronged 
your neighbor in this way ? How, and how many 
times ? 

Have you in a passion, or otherwise, pledged your- 
self by a rash oath to something which you were not 
likely to remember, or which you could not do with- 
out sin ? How often ? Have you sometimes used 
foolish and thoughtless oaths? How many times? 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



329 



If it was a habit, say how often in the day, the week, 
or the month, and for how long ? 

Have you ever violated any oath lawfully made, by 
riot fulfilling your engagement? How many times? 
Have you persuaded others to swear falsely, or urged 
them to an unnecessary oath ? How many times ? 

III. Have you cursed yourself or your neighbor ? 
Was it from your heart ? Had you the habit of curs- 
ing, and how long? How often in the day, the week, 
or the month ? Have you provoked others to curse, 
and how often ? 

IV. Have you made any rash vow ? Have you 
broken any lawful vow ? Have you changed it with- 
out lawful permission ? Have you put off the fulfilling 
of it? 

Have you broken a marriage promise without good 
cause ? 

ON THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. 
"Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day 

The manner of keeping Sundays and other feasts of 
obligation is regulated by the Church. These Holy 
Days are profaned by servile labor. They are sancti- 
fied by hearing Mass, and by other exercises of piety. 
Under this commandment, also, it is customary to 
class all the Laws of the Church. Examine yourself, 
then, on these Laws, as follows : 

I. Have you done servile work on Sundays, or Holy 
Days of obligation, without necessity, or lawful per- 
mission ? How often ? Have you caused others to do 
the same ? 

Have you spent Sunday, or Holy Days, in taverns, 
or elsewhere among ungodly companions ? in dances, 
gambling, in drinking to excess, in criminal walks, or 
visits, or scandalous parties of pleasure ? How many 
times? * • 

Have you omitted to hear Mass on these days by 
your own fault ? How often ? 

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Have yon come too late to Mass, or gone away be- 
fore it was over? Have you occupied yourself during 
Mass with other matters, such as talking, gazing about, 
or reading? , How often? 

Have you, through negligence, or little esteem for 
the Word of God, been absent from the sermons and 
instructions given in the church? Have you, by this 
means, remained in ignorance of the necessary doc- 
trines and duties of your religion ? 

II. Have you disregarded the fast days, by eating 
meat, or taking more than one meal, and the collation 
allowed in the evening? How often? Have you 
caused others to commit the same sin? How many 
times V 

III. Have you broken the abstinence on Fridays 
and other days when meat is not allowed ? How 
many times? Have you been the cause of others 
doing the same ? Have you given scandal so? 

IV. Have you sometimes allowed more than a year 
to pass without confession? or, at least, without a 
good one? 

Have you sometimes neglected to receive your 
Easter Communion? Or to receive it worthily? 
How often ?* 

V. Have you been married clandestinely, without 
the presence of a Priest and witnesses ? Was it even 
before a heretic preacher ? 

Have you married within the forbidden degrees, and 
without dispensation ? or with an unbaptized person ? 
or with some other -impediment which would make 
the marriage invalid ? Have you obtained a dispensa- 
tion under false pretences ? 



* N. B. — A sacrilegious confession, or communion, can 
never fulfil the Law of the Church. The obligation still re- 
mains, until they are made over again in a worthy manner. 
Persons who were unable to commune in £he Easter-time, 
are also bound to do it afterwards. Those who are sick at this 
time must take care to have the Holy Communion brought 
to them. 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



Have you entered into a second pretended mar- 
riage, when either you or the other party had a hus- 
band or wife still living, or of whose death you were 
not certain ? 

Have you married with a heretic, without first ob- 
taining a dispensation ? Having received the dispen- 
sation, have you afterwards broken the promise which 
the Church exacted of you, to endeavor to procure 
the conversion of your companion ? 

Have you married in Advent time, or Lent, with 
pomp, show, or festivity ? Have you indulged in 
balls, parties, and such-like amusements in Lent or 
Advent ? How many times ? 

ON THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. 
"Honor thy father and thy mother" 

In this commandment are included all our duties to 
our parents and superiors. Examine yourself upon 
these duties, thus : 

I. Have you been a very ungrateful child ? Did you 
despise your parents? or even hate them? Did you 
wish for their death? or that some other misfortune 
might befall them? How often? 

Have you given them injurious and insulting lan- 
guage ? or mocked and ridiculed them ? How cften? 
Have you cursed them ? How many times ? Have 
you provoked them to curse and swear ? How often ? 
Have you threatened them, or even lifted up your 
hand to strike them ? How often ? 

Have you not made them unhappy by your miscon- 
duct ? Have you disobeyed them in any grievous 
matter? and how often? Have you not promised, or 
even contracted marriage without their knowledge ? 

Have you neglected them? Have you refused to 
aid them in their necessities? Have you been 
ashamed of them on account of their poverty ? 

Have you faithfully accomplished their last will? 
Have you been careful to pray for them ? 



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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



II. Have you been disrespectful and disobedient to 
your spiritual superiors, the Bishops and Priests of the 
Church ? Have you treated them in a haughty and 
insulting manner? Have you taken part with the 
disaffected and seditious ? 

Have you neglected to contribute, according to 
your means, to the support of your Pastors and the 
maintenance of your religion ? 

II. Have you put yourself in opposition to the law- 
ful authorities of the country ? Have you taken part 
in any mob, or other combination to commit violence ? 
Have you joined with any seditious party or faction 
to resist the laws, or to disturb the public peace ? 

ON THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT. 
" Thou shalt not HIV 

By this commandment, are forbidden, not only 
murder and other acts of violence, but all hatred in 
the heart, and all violent and injurious language ; also 
scandal, whether in words or actions, and all unfeeling 
conduct to the poor and afflicted. 

I. Have you been guilty of the death of any one ? 
by your own act, by participation, by instigation, by 
counsel, by consent? 'Have you attempted or in- 
tended to take the life of another ? Have you en- 
gaged in serious fights, or injured others by wounds, 
blows, or other ill-treatment ? How often ? 

Have you endeavored to take your own life ? Have 
you injured your health by excess in eating or drink- 
ing ? Have you been drunk ? How many times ? 
If it was a habit, how often in the week, the month, or 
the year ? Have you been the cause of drunkenness 
in others ? How, and how often ? 

Have you done nothing to hinder the generation of 
children ; or to destroy the fruit of the womb ? By 
your own act? By your advice? By your consent? 
How many times ? 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



333 



II. Have you desired the death of others ; or wished 
them some great misfortune? How many times? 
Have you not had the intention to injure or ill-treat 
persons, if you could ? 

Have you been at enmity with your neighbors? 
or refused to speak to or salute them ? How often ? 

Have you given way to passion, so as to be ready 
to commit violence or take revenge ? How often ? 
Have you indulged a spirit of envy and jealousy? 
Are you now reconciled with all? 

Have you not engaged, through passion or revenge, 
in vexatious lawsuits ; or maliciously defended your- 
self against the just claims of others ? 

III. Have you not outraged the feelings of your 
neighbor by violent language, gross abuse, or unfeeling 
raillery? How often? Have you been habitually 
quarrelsome and abusive? Have you not excited 
others to anger or revenge ? How, and how often ? 

IV. Have you done harm to the soul of any one by 
giving scandal ? Do you remember some whose in- 
nocence has suffered by your wicked words or bad 
example? Have you been the cause of others' sins, 
by enticing them to evil, by your advice, your direc- 
tion, your consent ; by hiding their sins ; by your 
flattery ; by your threats ; by your promises ? 

Have you drawn the young and the innocent into 
sin? Have you taught them some vicious habit? 
Have you spoken to them of # wicked or dangerous 
things, which they should not know ? In what way, 
and how often ? Have you thrown temptation in the 
way of the weak? Have you dissuaded, ridiculed, or 
discouraged those who were willing to repent and to 
reform? How often? 

V. Have you neglected to give alms in proportion 
to your ability ? Have you remained insensible to the 
wants of the poor, even in time of general sickness, 
famine, and distress ? Have you refused your contri- 
bution to works of true Christian Charity ? Have you 



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refused your aid to the sick, the suffering, and the 
dying ? 

ON THE SIXTH AND NINTH COMMANDMENTS. 

u Thou shalt not commit adultery t Thou shalt not 
covet thy neighbor's wife. 11 

By these two commandments are forbidden all 
kinds of impurity. It must be borne in mind that 
every sin. of this nature, whether in action, word, or 
even only in thought, when quite wilful and deliber- 
ate, is a mortal sin, and necessary to be confessed. 
On these commandments examine your thoughts, 
words, and actions, as follows : 

I. Have you not dwelt wilfully, and with com- 
plaisance, upon impure thoughts or imaginations ? 
Have you not, in fact, consented to them in your 
mind ? How often ? 

II. Have you made use of impure language or allu- 
sions ; taken part in sinful conversations, or listened 
to them willingly and with complaisance? How 
often ? Was it sometimes before persons of another 
sex, and how often ? Before the young and innocent? 
How often ? Have you sung immodest songs, and in 
what company ? Have you written them, or learned 
them, or listened to them ? How often ? Have you 
sometimes boasted of your former sins ? 

III. Have you been # guilty of improper and danger- 
ous freedoms with any of the other sex ? How far 
have you carried this sinful conduct ? Was- the com- 
panion of your guilt a single person ? How often ? 
A married person ? How often? A relation? How 
often? Was there any thing else in the quality of the 
person, which made your sin more grievous ? ( When- 
ever a second person is concerned,, the same distinctions 
must be made, whethei* the impurity be one of thought 
word, or action.) 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 335 



Have you entertained a criminal or dangerous inti- 
macy ? How long ? Have you written letters through 
passion, or received them from others ? How often ? 
Have you gazed immodestly upon yourself or others ; 
upon pictures or statues, or any object which could 
excite evil desires? How often? Have you indulged 
in habits of secret sin? How long? How often? 

Have you not by the freedom of your manners, or 
your immodest dress, been the cause of temptation to 
others? Was this also your intention? Have you 
even in this respect disregarded the sanctity of the 
Church and of the Holy Sacrifice? How often? 

Have you read impure books, tracts, or newspapers, 
or listened to them when read? How often? Have 
you lent them to others ? -Have you not exposed 
yourself voluntarily to the occasions of sin, by means 
of dances, shows, theatres, &c. ; by intemperance, by 
reading romances and plays, by walking out at night, 
by frequenting society, or by remaining alone with 
persons of a different sex ? How, and how often ? 

Have you been guilty of leading others astray, by 
your enticements, by presents, promises, flatteries, or 
caresses ? Have you employed fraud, threats, or 
menaces, or even been guilty of violence? How 
often ? Did you accomplish your evil design by means 
of a promise of marriage? Did you break it? Have 
you refused to repair the injury you have done ? Have 
you taught sinful things to the innocent and ignorant ? 
Have you corrupted the minds of young children by 
your actions, caresses, &c. ? How often^ 

Have you taken part in the sins of others by favor- 
ing their bad designs, by remaining silent when you 
could and ought to interfere, by affording the occasion 
by your bad advice, by writing or carrying letters, by 
promoting and encouraging courtships in your own 
house or else wh ere ? How, and how often ? 

Have your sins against these two commandments 
been sometimes of an unnatural kind ? How often ? 



336 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



ON THE SEVENTH AND TENTH COMMAND- 
MENTS. 

u Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not covet thy 

neighbors goods" 

By these two commandments are forbidden injustice 
and covetousness of every kind. Examine yourself 
thus : 

I. Have you stolen money or other property ? 
"What was it? Have you it still in your possession? 
"What was its value? How much at a time? How 
often ? (It is necessary throughout this whole exam- 
ination, not only to number your sins, but also to esti- 
mate, as near as possible, the value of what you took, 
or the amount of damage caused by your injustice, that 
it may appear whether your sins were mortal, and 
what restitution you have to maJce.) 

Have you stolen any thing consecrated to God, or 
from a holy place ? (This is sacrilege.) 

Have you charged exorbitant prices? Have you 
made out false bills ? Have you cheated in the weight, 
measure, quantity, or quality of your goods, under the 
excuse that others do the same ? Have you otherwise 
cheated in buying or selling? 

Have you cheated at cards or other games? Or on 
a still grander scale, by means of deceitful specula- 
tions, associations, or other enterprises, entered into 
in bad faith, and to the injury of the simple and un- 
wary ? Have you defrauded your creditors ? Have 
you received exorbitant interest for your money ? 
Have you been guilty of forgery ? Have you passed 
counterfeit money or broken bills ? 

II. Having found things of some value, have you kept 
them, without taking the necessary pains to find the 
owner ? Being trusted with money, have you kept 
back a part for yourself? Have you failed to return 
things borrowed ? 

Have you bought or received things which you 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



337 



knew or believed to be stolen? Have you taken 
charge of them, or allowed them to be kept in your 
house ? 

Have you neglected to pay your debts ? Have you 
contracted debt- without any reasonable hope of 
paying? 

III. Have you been the cause of ruin or damage to 
the property of another? Have you been grossly 
careless or neglectful of what was intrusted to your 
care ? Have you received pay for work or service 
which you had not done, or which was ill done ? 

Have you carried on an unjust lawsuit, or advised 
others to do so ? Have you sought to gain your cause 
by bribery, threats, or other corrupt means ? Have 
you already repaired this wrong ? 

Have you, in your dealings, taken advantage of the 
simple, the young and inexperienced? Have you 
made hard bargains with the poor, or those in em- 
barrassment and distress ? Have you delayed to pay 
them ? Have you kept back their wages from your 
domestics and laborers, or paid them less than their 
just due ? 

Have you been guilty of fraud or embezzlement in 
any public office or private trust ? 

Have you not injured any one in your profession, 
or employment, by negligence or a culpable igno- 
rance ? 

IV. Have you taken part in the theft, fraud, or in- 
justice of others ? Have you concealed, when it was 
your duty to inform? 

V. Have you attempted, intended, or desired to rob, 
or steal, or defraud, or commit any kind of injustice ? 
Have you committed little thefts, with the intention 
of stealing a great deal ? How often ? 

Remaeks. — Do not forget to examine whether you 
have repaired all the injustice you have done, for your 
sins will not.be pardoned while you refuse or neglect 
to make restitution. If the thin°: unjustly acquired is 
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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



gone, return the value in some other way. If yon 
cannot restore the whole, restore what you can, and 
do not delay. In fine, if it is impossible to make any 
restitution for the time being, it is necessary, at least, 
to have the sincere and firm resolution to do it as soon 
as you shall be able. 

ON THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT. 

u Thou shalt not dear false witness against thy 
neighbor." 

By this commandment are forbidden all false wit- 
ness, lying, and detraction. Examine your conscience 
thus : 

I. Have you given false testimony before any tri- 
bunal, or any superior, whether civil or ecclesiastical ? 
Have you, by persuasion or advice, in any way pro- 
cured false testimony, and how ? 

Have you signed any false papers or documents ? 
Have you falsified letters or other writings ? What 
injury have you done by these sins ? How often ? 

II. Have you been guilty of lying, through malice, 
or for some bad purpose ? Have you put in circula- 
tion, or repeated again, any scandalous report which 
you knew to be false, or did not believe to be true ? 
Have you in any other way blackened the character 
or injured the interests of your neighbor ? How, and 
how often? 

III. Have you been guilty of detraction in any 
serious matter, by making known the secret faults or 
defects of your neighbor ? How often ? 

Have you been in the habit of backbiting, by speak- 
ing of the known faults or defects of others in their 
absence ? Was it through malice ? How often in the 
day, the week, the month, &c. ? Have you listened 
willingly and with pleasure- to such conversation? 
Have you caused mischief or ill-feeling between others 
by tale-bearing I How often 1 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



339 



Have you formed rash judgments, or entertained 
suspicions against your neighbor, without any just 
cause 3 Have you ill-treated him in consequence, or 
injured his feelings by your unjust accusations'? 
Have you wronged hirn by revealing these suspicion 
to others ? 

Have you been careful to repair the mischief you 
have done, by contradicting your false reports, and 
doing what else you could to restore the wounded 
credit, honor, and reputation of your neighbor ? 



ON THE DUTIES OF YOUR STATE. 

Now examine yourself on your obligations in par- 
ticular, as a parent, a husband or wife, a master or 
servant, a magistrate, and on your conduct in the 
pursuit of your profession. 

I, If a Parent. Have you always taken proper care 
of the life and health of your children ? Have you not 
exposed them to great danger even before birth ? or 
afterwards taken them to your own bed with danger 
of their being suffocated ? 

Have you taken care to provide for their wants, 
food, clothing, &c. ? Have you done your best to 
procure them a good education according to their con- 
dition ? 

Have you not manifested an unjust preference for 
one to the prejudice of another ? Have you been neg- 
lectful, unkind, or even cruel to your step-children, or 
others under your protection ? 

Have you not unreasonably forced your children into 
some profession, or state of life, for which they felt no 
vocation? Have you hindered them from pursuing 
their vocation, when called to a religious life ? Have 
yon, without sufficient cause, opposed their inclinations 
with regard to marriage ? 

Have you neglected the care of their salvation? 
Have you endeavored, in their tender years, to inspire 



340 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



them with the love of God, and the fear of sin 1 Have 
yon neglected to teach them to pray ? 

Have you exposed their salvation to danger, by de- 
laylng their baptism ? Have you neglected to have 
them prepared, and brought forward at the proper 
age to confession, confirmation, and first communion ? 

Have you neglected to get them well instructed in 
their own religion ? Have you sent them to heretics 
or godless schools, to the danger of their faith ? Did 
you always take them to church on Sundays and. 
Holy Days ? Have you put them out to some ser- 
vice or situation where they could not practice their 
religion, or where their faith or their virtue was in 
danger ] 

Have you exposed their innocence to danger, by 
letting them sleep together without distinction, or by 
taking them to your own bed, or keeping them in the 
same room, when already old enough to be scandal- 
ized ? How often ? 

Have you watched them carefully to see where they 
spent their time, in what company, &c. ; or have you 
let them wander where they would ? Have you left 
them to the care of loose or irreligious servants, or 
whose morals were doubtful ? 

Have you allowed them free intercourse with the 
other sex ; to receive visits alone, and at improper 
hours ; or to be out late at night ? Have you per- 
mitted them to read romances, or other pernicious 
books ? 

Have you neglected to punish them for their own 
good ? Have you allowed them to curse and swear, 
&c, in your presence without chastisement? Have 
you, in fine, by your indifference or foolish fondness, 
left them without restraint ? 

Have you, on the contrary, treated them with vio- 
lence and brutality in your anger % In what way 1 
Have you cursed them ? How often ? Have you 
exasperated or scandalized them by your violent lan- 
guage, abusive names, &c. ? Was this habitual ? 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



341 



Have you otherwise given them scandal and bad 
example, by your neglect of your religion, and your 
sinful lite ? 

II. If you are married. Did you not enter into 
marriage through base and unchristian motives? 
Have you nut by your light conduct given cause of 
jealousy and distress to your companion ? 

Have you been careful to observe, even in marriage, 
the laws of modesty 1 Have you given no scandal to 
others, by too little reserve in this respect ? Have you 
not abused the holy state of matrimony contrary to its 
lawful end ? How many times ? 

Have you lived with your wife (or husband) in peace 
and union ? Have you not sinned and given scandal 
by your disagreement and angry disputes ? How often ? 
How long have you lived in this way ? 

Have you abandoned your wife (or husband) with- 
out just cause and lawful permission ? Have you 
lived separate, or remained a long while absent? 
Have you stubbornly refused to be reconciled? 

As a Husband. Have you not treated your w T ife in 
a gross, tyrannical, and cruel manner ? Have you 
beat her in your anger or drunkenness, or injured her 
by any other outrage ? How many times ? Have you 
made her unhappy by your neglect, coldness, and un- 
feeling conduct, or by spending your leisure time away 
from home ? 

Have 3 r ou treated her with attention and forbear- 
ance in the time of her pregnancy ? Have you cor- 
rupted her mind by your immodesty and wicked con- 
versation ? Have you not tempted her or forced her 
to offend God ? How often? Have you neglected to 
provide for her maintenance, and that of your chil- 
dren ? Have you squandered her earnings and your 
own on your sinful pleasures? 

As a Wife. Have you, without the knowledge of 
your husband, made usejess and extravagant expenses, 
or dissipated a part of his property in favor of your 
own relations? How much? Have you not made 
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difficulty in his family by your selfish jealousy and un- 
friendly conduct towards his relations ? 

Have you been respectful and obedient to him in 
every thing reasonable.? Have you not made his - 
home disagreeable, and his life unhappy, by your ill- 
temper and scolding tongue ? Have you refused him 
his marriage rights ? How often ? Have you not per* 
suaded him to offend God against the dictates of na- 
ture and of conscience ? How often ? 

Have you done your part for the support of the 
family ? Have you been idle and neglectful of your 
household duties ? 

III. If you are Master, Mistress, or Employer. 
Have you treated your servants in a harsh, tyrannical, 
and unfeeling manner ? Have you not overburdened 
them with work? Have you obliged them to do un- 
necessary work on Sundays and other Holy Days? 
How often ? Have you hindered them from hearing 
Mass on those days ? How often ? 

Have you always given them proper and sufficient 
food and clothing? Have you treated them charitably 
in their sickness and distress ? Have you dismissed 
them unjustly before the time agreed upon, or sud- 
denly, by caprice, and with cruel haste ? 

Have you refused to your servants or laborers their 
just due, or wronged them by delaying to pay ? Have 
you taken advantage of their poverty, and want to 
engage them upon hard and unequal terms? How 
much have you wronged them, and how often ? 

Having slaves, have you cruelly parted parents from 
children, husband from wife, or allowed those to 
marry again who were still bound by a former mar- 
riage ? 

Have you been* careful of the salvation of those de- 
pending upon you ? Have ycu instructed them in the 
faith ? Have you encouraged and exhorted them to 
frequent the church and the sacraments, and religious 
instructions ? 

Have you watched over their morals? Have you, 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 343 



on the contrary, retained them in your service, not- 
withstanding their corrupt and scandalous conduct, 
and perhaps with danger to yourself or your family ? 
Have you permitted them to keep improper company 
and late hours, to frequent dangerous places and 
amusements ? 

Have you taken advantage of their condition to cor- 
rupt them, by your authority, your flattery, or your 
bribes? How, and how often % Have you allowed in 
your house persons of loose character, or dangerous 
gatherings, or tolerated in it any scandal of which you 
were aware ? What, and how often ? 

IV. If you are a Servant, Cleric, or Apprentice, 
Have you served your employers diligently and faith- 
fully ? Have they suffered no harm by your fault ? 
Have you wasted their substance ? Have you given 
aw r ay their property to your own relations and friends ? 
Have you stolen from them ? Have you kept a part of 
what they trusted to you to make purchases for them 1 
Have you kept or taken their property under pretence 
that your wages were too low ? How much ? How 
often ? 

Have you concealed from your employers the thefts 
or misconduct of your fellow-servants in matters be- 
longing to your charge ? 

Have you revealed the faults of your superiors with- 
out necessity, and to their prejudice ? Have you sown 
discord in their families, and how ? Have you been 
the cause of other servants being sent aAvay by your 
false or malicious complaints ? 

Have you engaged yourself in some service where 
your faith or your morals were in danger, or where 
you would not be allowed to fulfil the obligations of your 
religion ? Have you allowed yourself to be enticed to 
the churches of heretics, to join in their family prayers, 
or to read their religious books ? How many times ? 

Have you suffered yourself to be employed in some 
wicked service, or assisted your superiors in their 
criminal designs ? What, and how often ? 



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Y. If you are a Magistrate or public officer. Have 
you been faithful and exact in the discharge of the 
duties of your office ? Have you, through weakness, 
the fear of man, the desire of popularity, or anxiety 
for office and emolument, betrayed the public interest, 
or sacrificed the rights of particular persons, or suffered 
crime and disorder to go unchecked and unpunished ? 
In what way ? and how often ? 

Have you, directly or indirectly, received bribes ; or 
allowed yourself to be influenced in the administration 
of justice, or your official conduct, by promises or 
presents ? How, and how often ? 

Have you been guilty of embezzlement of the public 
funds ? Have you made use of them for your own 
interest ? Have you enriched yourself or your friends 
by means of unequal contracts, at the expense of the 
public ? In what way ? How much ? 

Have you abused your official power by oppression 
and cruelty, or applied it to purposes of revenge ? 
Have you unjustly favored your friends ? Have you 
shielded or aided the wicked ? Have you neglected 
the cause of the poor, the innocent, the helpless, and 
the oppressed ? 

VI. If you are a Lawyer, Notary, or Cleric. Have 
you advocated claims which you knew to be unjust, 
or sustained an unjust defence ? How often ? Did 
you thereby obtain an unjust decision ? Have you 
undertaken a prosecution against an innocent person, 
or urged it on after having discovered his innocence ? 
Have you defended the cause of the guilty by means 
of fraud, bribes, or dishonest means ? 

Have you injured the just cause of your client by your 
treachery, gross ignorance, want of study, or neglect ? 
How often ? Have you given treacherous, doubtful, 
or ill-considered advice ? Hr.ve you unjustly flattered 
the hopes of your clients, or otherwise excited useless 
litigation? Have you stimulated others to revenge? 
How often ? 

Have you been guilty of fraud, bribery, or other 



GENERAL CONFESSION. 



345 



injustice in your business ? Have yon procured false 
testimony, or encouraged to commit perjury? Have 
you, by any artifice, obtained attestations to false affi- 
davits and other documents, or sworn to them your- 
self? Have you been guilty of fraud in the drawing 
up of deeds, wills, contracts, and other instruments ? 
Have you made them contrary to the intention of 
either party, or introduced ambiguous expressions ? 
Have you falsified any document, or destroyed it, or 
substituted another in place of the true one ? How 
often have you done any of these things ? 

Have you made out unjust bills of costs, demanding 
unlawful or exorbitant fees, or charging for services 
never rendered? How often? 

What injury, and how much, have you caused to 
any one by any of the above sins ? Have you ever 
repaired it, or made restitution ? 

VII. If you are a Physician or Surgeon. Have 
you undertaken the care of persons seriously sick, 
without sufficient science or experience ? Have you 
treated serious or extraordinary cases with neglect, or 
applied insignificant remedies ? How often ? and with 
what result I 

Being ignorant of the nature of the complaint, have 
you rashly hazarded dangerous remedies, and even with 
the peril of serious injury or death ? Have you made 
merciless experiments upon the sick, especially those 
in the hospital, and the poor ? How often ? and with 
what result ? 

Have you failed to consult where you ought ; or, in 
consulting, made choice of those not recommended by 
their skill ? Have you made needless expense by call- . 
ing in others, or followed their counsel against your 
own conscience ?" Have you kept patients lingering in 
sickness for sake of gain, or multiplied useless visits to 
their expense ? Have you prescribed needless medi- 
cines for your own profit, or that of the apothecary ? 
How much injury or injustice have you thus done? 
How often ? 



346 



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Have you undertaken surgical operations beyond 
your science or skill? Have you conducted them 
recklessly, with unuecessary hazard of life or loss of 
limb ? How often ? Have you intentionally taken the 
life of a child in the womb, or at its birth ? Have you 
been guilty of procuring abortion, by your own act or 
advice, or by furnishing the means ? How often ? 

Have you failed to warn those in danger of death, 
that they might receive the sacraments ? Have you 
allowed infants to die without baptism, by your wil- 
fulness or neglect ? How often ? 

VIII. If you keep a Hotel or Liquor-store. Have 
you not charged more to your guests than was just ? 
Have you not adulterated your liquors ? To what 
amount ? How often ? 

Have you not given drink to drunkards, or to those 
already drunk, or allowed them in your house to drink 
to excess ? How often ? Have you not served those 
whom you knew to be ruining then family by • their 
dissipation ? 

Have you kept your house open during divine ser- 
vice, or ma<Jp it a place of dissipation on Sundays ? 

Have you allowed gambling in your establishment, 
or tolerated blasphemy, obscenity, and other wicked 
discourse ? Have you permitted loose women to lodge 
in it, or frequent it ? Has it not been a place of scan- 
dalous interviews, or other shameful immorality ? 

Have you allowed in it immoral shows or concerts, 
drunken festivity and dangerous dances ? How often ? 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 347 



Instruction on Jilatrimong. 



"This is a great Sacrament, but I speak in Christ 
and in the Church." (Ephes. v. 32.) 

The marriage state is no invention of man, nor of 
recent origin. It was instituted by God himself, and 
existed at the beginning of the world, in the inno- 
cent groves of Paradise. It was there our first 
parents, Adam and Eve, joined hands before the 
face of their Creator, and received the nuptial bene-* 
diction from his own mouth. The account given of 
this first marriage in the book of Genesis is full of 
deep interest, and of a holy beauty, and should in- 
spire all, especially married persons, with a deep 
feeling of gratitude, and also with a high and holy 
veneration for a state so divinely and so solemnly in- 
stituted. 

THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE. 

If mam age, according to its primitive institution, 
was already an honorable and holy state, how much 
more is it so under the Christian dispensation, now 
that Jesus Christ has elevated it to the rank and 
dignity of a sacrament ! Among heretics marriage 
is, for the most part, regarded as a mere contract 
between a man and woman to cohabit together 
under the sanction of the law. " The sta te of mar- 
riage" says Calvin, in Book TV. of his Institutes, 
" is no otherwise good and holy than that of the 



348 



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farmer, the mason, the shoemaker, and the barber, 
which states are not sacraments" According to 
the Catholic doctrine, on the contrary, it is a true 
sacrament, and this is even an article of faith. 

That marriage has always been regarded in the 
Church as a sacred engagement, raised high above 
the common actions of life, and the civil order of 
things, and solemnized by religious ceremonies, is 
seen clearly enough in the writings of the early 
Fathers, whose doctrine should be received by every 
reasonable man as the belief of Christians in primi- 
tive times. Tertullian, who lived in the second cen- 
tury, says, writing to his wife: "How can we ex- 
press the happiness of the marriage union con- 
• traded under the auspices of the Church, consecrated 
by the oblation of the Holy Sacrifice, and sealed by 
the benedict' on which the angels have witnessed, and 
which the Eternal Father has ratified f (Lib. II.) 
St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, in the beginning 
of the fifth century, thus speaks of marriage : u Jesus 
Christ himself assisted at the toedding to which he 
was invited, in order to sanctify the conjugal union : 
for it was fitting that He who was to regenerate the 
nature of man, should not only impart his benedic- 
tion to those already born, but should prepare graces 
for those who were afterwards to be born, and con- 
secrate the source of their origin? (Comment, in 
Joan. ch. xxii.) Beautifully clear are the words of 
the great St. Augustin : "In the marriages of Chris- 
tians, the sanctity of the marriage is more to be 
esteemed than the fruitfutness which is its conse- 
quence. Among all nations the advantage of the 
nuptial bond is to propagate the human race, and 
to unite the married pair by the fidelity they owe to 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 349 



each other. But with the people of God, a more 
precious good, and a stricter bond of union result 
from the sanctity of the sacrament A wife, even 
when divorced from her husband, cannot without 
sacrilege contract another engagement during his 
life." (De vinculo, Mat. xxiv.) 

The Apostle Paul himself speaks of the marriage 
of Christians in the same exalted language. He ex- 
pressly names it a sacrament, and compares it to the 
holy and wonderful union of Christ with his Church. 
" This is a great sacrament : but I speak in Christ 
and in the church." " So ought men to love their 
wives as their own bodies. For no man ever hated 
his own flesh, bat nourisheth and cherisheth it, as 
also Christ doth the Church" (Ephes. v. 28.) 

Since marriage is a sacrament, it ought to have, 
like all the other sacraments, an inward and sancti- 
fying grace for those who receive it; and so it has. 
When Christians marry in a state of mortal sin, 
then indeed they receive no grace. They join hands 
to commit a sacrilege, and receive a malediction 
with it. But in those who receive it in the love of 
God, this sacrament increases the sanctifying grace 
which they have already, and imparts a special 
grace to sanctify and bless their union, that they 
may dwell together in peace and charity, bear with 
each other, aid each other, preserve mutual fidelity, 
and bring up their children in the fear of God. 

THE ENDS OF MARRIAGE. 

.If Christian marriage is a bond so holy, so holy 
in its divine Founder, so holy in its character of a 
sacrament, so holy in the grace it imparts, ought it 
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not to be sanctified also by the holy aims, the pure 
motives of those who engage in it ? Christians 
ought to unite with the same intentions which 
Almighty God had, when he instituted marriage. 
1. That they may be mutual helps to each other : 
" It is not good" said God, "for man to be alone : 
let us, make a kelp like unto himself." 2. To raise 
up children for the church and for heaven; holy 
children, who may inherit not so much the temporal 
riches as the faith of their parents, whom they may 
bring up in the fear of God, and in the practice of 
virtue and piety. 3. That they may find a safe- 
guard and a remedy against temptation. Hence, 
although St. Paul declares, "for the unmarried and 
widows, it is good if they continue even as I" yet 
he adds immediately, " but if they do not contain, 
let them marry, for it is better to marry than to be 
burnt" A life of entire chastity is beyond all doubt 
a higher and more perfect state than that of mar- 
riage, but then it is a particular gift of God, which 
all do not receive. If a person, still free to choose, 
finds that he has not received this gift, let him 
recognize his own weakness, and have recourse to 
marriage. 

To marry for this last mentioned reason is justifi- 
able, and often necessary ; , but it is not intended to 
sanction the wicked conduct of those persons who 
embrace this holy state only to gratify their pas- 
sions, without any thought for the good of their 
souls. Marriages which begin in brutality, are 
almost sure to be continued in infidelity, and often 
end in shame and sorrow. A fearful example of the 
judgment of God is related in holy Scripture. We 
read there that the seven first husbands of Sara were 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 351 

strangled by a devil the very night of their mar- 
riage. This, as the angel Eaphael explained to To- 
bias, was because they married this holy young- 
woman out of mere sensuality. " Over such" said 
the angel, " the devil hath power. But thou, when 
thou shalt take her f go into the chamber, and for 
three days give thyself to nothing else but to prayers 
with her, and when the third night is passed, thou 
shalt take the virgin with the fear of the Lord, 
moved rather for the love of children than for lust, 
that in the seed of Abraham thou may est obtain a 
blessing in children." (Tob. vi.) 

MARRIAGE VOCATION 

The fact that matrimony is a state of great re- 
sponsibility, and one which lasts for life, is enough 
to show that one ought not to embrace it lightly, 
nor without much thought and reflection. But be- 
sides this, its very sanctity shows it to be a divine 
vocation, and therefore Christians should never act 
in such a matter without consulting God. They 
ought always to ask counsel of virtuous friends, and 
wise guides, in order to know the divine will, and 
pray fervently like the Psalmist : " Lord, make 
known to me the way in which I am to walk /" 
- They should seek to ascertain, in the first place, 
whether they are not perhaps called to a more per- 
fect state ; for it must not be forgotten, that there is 
a state still higher and holier, and that all are not 
called to marriage, neither by nature nor by the will 
of God. 

If, however, it should appear that one has no call 
to a single life, either in the priesthood or in the 



352 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



cloister, or otherwise, it is still equally necessary tc 
appeal to heaven for direction in the choice of a 
companion. There can be no doubt that when God 
calls persons to the married life, he marks out for 
each one a particular partner, in accordance with 
his own wise and holy will. So God formed Eve 
for our first father Adam, Rebecca w T as prepaied for 
Isaac, and Sara was reserved for Tobias. In the 
Book of Proverbs we read : "Houses and riches are 
given by parents, but a prudent wife is properly 
from the Lord" Trust not, young Christian, to 
your imagination, and the first impulse of your 
heart, for it is easy to be deceived. Remember, 
moreover, that your whole future happiness will de- 
pend upon the wisdom of your choice ! A helpless, 
giddy, dressy, rambling gir l, will make a vicious wife 
and mother: idle and dissipated young men grow 
easily into drunken and brutal husbands. The 
principal reason why so many marriages are un- 
happy, and disgraced by the most shameful scandals, 
is, because in these matters persons are guided more 
by passion and interest, than by virtue and religion. 
Money is preferred to good morals, showy accom- 
plishments to industry, beauty to modesty and 
purity ; who can wonder if shame and misery are 
the results? In this matter, therefore, dear young 
Christians, pray earnestly to God for direction, and 
ask good counsel of those whom he has given you 
for your spiritual guides. 

Children are bound also to consult their parents, 
and ask their consent. " Christian modesty cannot 
suffer," says St. Ambrose, that children marry with- 
out advice. Let them submit to the judgment ot 
their parents." There is, besides, a great power in a 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 353 



father's and mother's blessing, and it is no snrall loss 
to lose it. If, however, parents, through avarice, or 
caprice, or other like motive, should refuse consent 
to the reasonable desires of their children, in such 
extreme cases, after consulting disinterested, enlight- 
ened, and virtuous guides, and receiving the appro- 
bation of the Church, the marriage may take place. 

On the other hand, in giving their children in 
marriage, the great solicitude of parents ought to be, 
to select a person full of piety and virtue. The fear 
of God is the only foundation of peace and pros- 
perity in a family. Every day we see crushed the 
proud schemes of some worldly-minded parent, 
whilst the words of the royal Prophet are verified : 
" Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain 
that build it" (Ps. cxxvi.) 

IMPEDIMENTS OF MARRIAGE. 

The Holy Church has, from the earliest ages, an- 
nexed certain conditions to the matrimonial con- 
tract, which are called impediments. These are of 
two kinds. 1. The Annulling Impediments, or 
those which make it impossible to contract any real 
marriage at all ; and, 2. The Prohibitory Impedi- 
ments, which do not take away the power to con- 
tract a valid marriage, but only make it. unlawful 
and sinful. 

I The Annulling Impediments. — A marriage 
contracted, notwithstanding an impediment of this 
kind, is null and void from the beginning : that is 
to say, no marriage at all in the sight of God. No 
law of the land can make such an alliance good. 
Both parties to it live together in crime, and under 

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354 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



the anger of God, if they are aware of the impedi 
ment; and if they did not know of it in the begin- 
ning, they are bound to separate immediately when 
they discover it. Sometimes, indeed, the impedi- 
ment may be dispensed with by the Church, but in 
that case they are bound to abstain from all use of 
marriage until the dispensation is obtained, and a 
valid marriage contracted. The principal impedi- 
ments of this kind are the following : 

1. Consanguinity is that impediment which exists 
between blood-relations to the fourth degree inclu- 
sively. In other words, marriage is forbidden be- 
tween third cousins, or any nearer degree of kindred. 
And this impediment exists when the relationship 
arises from an illegitimate birth. 

2. Affinity is relationship by marriage. It is for- 
bidden to marry the third cousin, or any nearer 
blood-relation of one's former husband or wife. The 
same is true of a person, and the blood -relations of 
any one with whom he has had unlawful connec- 
tion ; but in this case, the impediment extends only 
to the second degree (first cousin). Spiritual affinity 
is a species of relationship contracted by means of 
the sacraments of baptism and confhmation. For 
this reason, parents cannot marry with the sponsors 
of their child, or with any person who baptized it; 
nor can sponsors marry with their God-children. 
So, if one baptizes the child of another, even al- 
though it were a case of necessity, he cannot after- 
wards marry either with the child or its parent. 

3. Public honesty is an impediment which forbids 
one to marry with a parent, a child, with a brother 
or sister of the person to whom one has been validly 
engaged by a promise of marriage. Also, if one hag 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 355 



contracted an invalid marriage, or a valid marriage 
which, however, was never consummated, it is forbid- 
den, in such case, to marry with the blood-relations 
of the other party, as far as the fourth degree ; that 
is to say, with a third cousin, or any thing nearer. 

4. Crime is sometimes an impediment. Persons 
who are guilty of homicide, and adultery, with an 
engagement to marry, are rendered incapable of con- 
tracting marriage together. 

5. Difference of religion is an impediment which 
makes a marriage null and void between a baptized 
person and one who was never baptized. 

6. Vows. — All persons who have made solemn 
vows of chastity, by entering into some religious 
order, are incapable of contracting marriage ; and so 
are all orders of the clergy, beginning with sub-dea- 
cons and upwards. 

7. Clandestine marriages, that is, those which* are 
contracted without the presence of the parish priest, 
and of two witnesses, are made null and void by the 
Council of Trent. In the United States, however, 
where the decree of the Council has not yet been pub- 
lished,* these marriages, although sinful, are valid. 
It is a most wicked and detestable thing, that Catho- 
lics should ever so far forget all dictates of faith and 
piety, as to be feoupled like heathen before a civil 
magistrate, and even sometimes before a heretic 
preacher, in contempt of the Church of God, and oi 
the sanctity of this Sacrament. In case of necessity, 
as when those who desire to marry, live very far from 



* The Council has been published in St. Louis, New 
Orleans, and Detroit. In these dioceses, therefore, clan- 
destine marriages are invalid. 



356 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



any Church or Priest, they may lawfully apply to a 

Magistrate for that purpose, and it is better to do so, 
in order that their marriage may be more public, 
and be recorded, but it is never lawful to have re- 
course to an heretical minister. Such a marriage is 
indeed binding, but it binds like a curse. 

Besides the sin, there are other evils which result 
from these clandestine unions. Commonly, no safe 
record is kept of the date, and of the names of the 
parties, and when proof of the marriage is required, 
sufficient proof is not to be found. Thus, wives or 
husbands may be deserted with impunity, title to 
property cannot be proved, children are often unable 
to show their legitimacy. How many young and 
thoughtless persons engage themselves rashly and 
suddenly in a state of misery, from which death only 
can release them! But, worst of all, invalid mar- 
riages are often contracted in this way, with the 
most disastrous consequences. Unhappy females are 
ensnared by men already married, into secret or hasty 
unions, which, if not soon ended in shame, are con- 
tinued in more lasting sorrow, and more horrible 
guilt. Those who violate the salutary laws of the 
Church, will find, sooner or later, that " the way of 
transgressors is hard." 

8. The bond of a previous marriage is an impedi- 
ment which death alone can remove. The Catholic 
Church holds that, by the institution and ordinance 
of Almighty God, marriage is indissoluble. No 
power on earth, no prince, no judge, no legislature, 
can break the bond which unites husband and wife. 
For certain just causes, especially for adultery, they 
may live separately, but they are still married, and 
cannot marry again. If, after such a separation, or 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 357 

after a divorce granted by the law of the land, either 
party should marry another person, it would be no 
true marriage before God, but an adultery. Jesus 
Christ has said it : u Whosoever shall put away his 
wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry 
another, committeth adultery" It is therefore per- 
mitted in such a case to separate, but the marriage 
bond is not broken, the parties remain still husband 
and wife ; for our Lord goes on to say : " he that shall 
marry her that is put away, committeth adultery? 
(St. Matt, xix.) If the first bond were really dissolved 
by such a separation, it might be forbidden, indeed, 
to the guilty party to contract a new one, but our 
Lord would never call the second marriage an adul- 
tery. Therefore, the words, " except it be for forni- 
cation," have reference to the lawfulness of putting 
away the guilty woman at all, but give no permission 
to the innocent party to marry again. " What God 
hath joined together, let not man put asunder," says 
our Lord, in the same chapter, condemning before- 
hand the iniquity of those divorces which are 
obtained in Protestant Legislatures, or Courts of 
Law. 

Let it be remembered, then, that no divorce, no 
guilt, no desertion, however wanton and unfeeling, 
no years of absence, can ever break the marriage 
bond. Nothing but a certain knowledge of the death 
of one party, can make it lawful for the other to 
marry. Although it might cause public scandal, 
although the honor of whole families may be at stake, 
although children would be exposed to shame and 
destitution by a separation, the guilty parties to these 
false second marriages must separate under pain of 
hell-fire. 



358 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



In cases where a second contract has been made, 
whilst both parties knew of the former one, and only* 
doubted, but were not sure of the death of the first 
husband or wife, they have no right to live together 
under favor of this doubt, because they married in 
had faith. If, however, one of them was ignorant of 
the previous marriage, or had been made to believe 
that the former wife or husband was surely dead, the 
party thus contracting in good faith retains a right 
under the second marriage, and is not bound to 
abandon it until something certain can be knowTi 
in the matter ; but the guilty one who contracted in 
bad faith has acquired no such right, and lives in 
adultery to the peril of his soul. 

How horrible then the guilt of those, who enter 
knowingly into these sacrilegious unions ! How fool- 
ish also are those who marry secretly or hastily with 
strangers, of whose character and former life they 
know little or nothing, without consent of parents 
and friends, without any publication of the bans, 
sometimes without the presence of Priest or witnesses, 
and thus expose themselves to the danger of being 
betrayed into an unholy union, which they cannot 
break from without shame, nor hold to without 
adultery ! 

II. The Prohibitory Impediments. — A prohibi- 
tory impediment is one which renders a marriage 
unlawful, but leaves it valid and binding. If persons 
marry, notwithstanding such an impediment, they 
commit a grievous sin, but cannot afterwards sepa- 
rate. There are three impediments of this kind, viz., 
a simple vow to preserve chastity, to enter into the 
priesthood, or into a religious order ; a previous 
promise of marriage ; and a prohibition of the Church. 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 359 



By the laws of the Church it is forbidden : 

1. To solemnize marriage, in other words, to many 
with any outward pomp or festivity, during the time 
of Advent or Lent ; that is to say, from the first Sun- 
day of Advent until Epiphany, and from the be- 
ginning of Lent to Low Sunday. 

2. Mixed marriages are forbidden, viz., the union 
of a Catholic with heretics, and persons excommuni- 
cated by the Church. This prohibition is founded 
on reasons of the highest importance. In the first 
place, there is always something repugnant and un- 
natural in these unions. "Bear not the yoke with 
unbelievers" says the Apostle Paul to the Corin- 
thians. " What fellowship hath light with darkness ? 
or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever f* 
Such marriages are moreover unfavorable to domestic 
peace. "How" asks St. Ambrose, u can there be a 
sincere union of the affections, when persons are 
divided on religion V (Lib. II. de Abra.) But the 
worst feature in this sort of marriage is, that they 
are dangerous to the faith of the Catholic party, and 
of the children. Either domestic attachment, or fear, 
or ridicule soon weakens the faith and dampens the 
fervor of the Catholic husband, or wife, whilst the 
children easily follow in practice the example of the 
parent whose religion affords the greatest liberty of 
indulgence. 

Wnen some grave reason exists, and the danger of 
perversion is removed, a dispensation may be ob- 
tained which will make such a marriage lawful. No 
valid dispensation can be given, however, unless upon 
the following conditions : 1st, It must be mutually 
agreed upon that the Catholic husband, or wife, shall 
enjoy a perfect liberty in the exercise of the Catho- 



360 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



lie religion ; and 2dly, That all the children shall be 
educated in the Catholic faith. 3dly, Besides this, 
the Catholic party must promise to seek the conver- 
sion of the other, by prayer, good example, and 
other prudent means. When a dispensation has 
been obtained upon these conditions, the marriage 
may take place without sin ; but still it must not be 
supposed that such unnatural unions are approved of 
by the Church. She only permits them reluctantly 
and mournfully. She forbids them to be celebrated 
within church -walls, or to receive the solemn bene- 
diction of the Priest. 

PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE. 

1. Publication of the Bans. — In order to place 
a check upon clandestine marriages ; to discover any 
impediments which might exist ; to prevent decep- 
tion and surprises ; to afford parents and others in- 
terested an opportunity to interpose, and in order to 
procure the prayers of the faithful, that God may 
give light, grace, and prosperity to the contracting 
parties, the Council of Trent has decreed, " that the 
promises of marriage be published on three Sundays, 
or festival days, in succession, at the public offices of 
the Church, by the parish Priest of the parties." 
(Sess. xxiv.) There can be no doubt that if any one 
knows of an impediment in the way of the pro- 
posed marriage, he is bound to reveal it. A great 
amount of sin and misery may thus be prevented. 

2. An innocent life is the best preparation for mar- 
riage ; gay flowers and beautiful garments are poor 
substitutes. A heart defiled is a sad recommenda- 
tion for the nuptial blessing, and a fraud on the mar- 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 361 



riage contract. Even between the parties them- 
selves, the most perfect modesty and prudent re- 
serve should be maintained. When Rebecca first 
beheld Isaac, her affianced husband, coming to meet 
her, " she took her cloak and covered herself" (Gen. 
xxiv.) Beautiful example of a precaution, inspired 
by true modesty. Parents who love their children 
truly, and in the fear of God, will never allow them 
to associate freely together, out of their own presence, 
and least of all, when they are already promised to 
each other. All secret interviews, lonely walks, and 
every familiarity contrary to Christian decorum, 
ought to be prohibited. How many young persons, 
by the neglect of such precautions, are already be- 
fore marriage stained with sin, and disgraced in each 
other's eyes ! 

3. Never let it be forgotten that marriage is a 
sacrament, and must be received in a state of grace. 
For this reason, to avoid committing a sacrilege, and 
also to deserve more fully the blessing of God upon 
their union, the parties affianced ought to purify 
their hearts by a good confession, and on the very 
morning of their marriage receive the holy Com- 
munion. It is sometimes advisable to make even a 
general confession, or at least a review of several 
years, either to remedy the errors of a past sensua* 
life, or in order to enter with more thorough and 
perfect dispositions of heart into a state so new and 
responsible. Dear young Catholics, do not imitate 
the blind children of this world, who pass the few 
days previous to this solemn step in making ready 
for an extravagant display of finely, — whilst a guilty 
conscience and unholy imaginations prepare them 
for the celebration of a sacrilege. Admire rather 



362 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



the holy example of young Tobias and his bride. 
They gave three entire days to prayer that they 
might obtain the blessing of heaven on their mar- 
riage. " For we are the children of the Saints," 
said they, " and we must not he joined together like 
the heathen that know not God? Matrimony in our 
days is a more holy thing than then, and Christians 
have now better means to prepare for it by confession 
and the Eucharist. Do not forget then to sanctify 
the morning of your marriage by receiving devoutly 
the Holy Communion. 

THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY. 

The Church desires that marriage should be cele- 
brated in the morning, and in the church, because 
it is a sacrament, and in order to inspire the parties 
who wed, and all the witnesses, with religious senti- 
ments worthy of so solemn an act. There at the 
foot of the altar they feel the sacred character of 
their union, and all evil thoughts are banished. There 
also they are aided by the prayers of their friends. 
Of course, it is not becoming to appear in the church 
with a show of worldly pomp and finery, and least 
of all immodestly dressed. Whatever innocent dis- 
play and festivity the customs of society require, may 
take place afterwards at home, in the afternoon or 
evening. 

In the morning of the day appointed, the Bride- 
groom and Bride, accompanied by their friends and 
relations, appear at the altar before the Priest, who 
is habited in a surplice and white stole, and assisted 
by a clerk who carries the book, and a vessel of holy 
water. The Priest first demands of each one as fol- 
lows : " N — , wilt thou take JV — here present for 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY, 363 



thy lawful wife (or husband) according to the rite 
of our Holy Mother the Church r To this each one 
in turn replies, * I will." Then ordering them to 
join their right hands, over which he throws one end 
of his stole, the Priest says: " I join you together 
in matrimony. In the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." He then 
sprinkles holy water upon thein both. The next 
ceremony is to bless the nuptial ring, which he does 
in these words : "Bless thou, Lord, this ring which 
we bless in thy name, tha t she who wears it may pre- 
serve entire fidelity to her husband, may continue in 
peace and in obedience to thy holy will, and live 
always in the exercise of mutual charity : through 
Christ our Lord. A?nen." Then, having sprinkled 
the ring with holy water in the form of a cross, he 
gives it to the Bridegroom, who places it on the 
ring-finger of the Bride, while the Priest says : " In 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen.' 1 '' Other ceremonies are some- 
times observed, which are not in all places the same. 
Finally, having prayed for the happiness of this new 
union, he proceeds to the celebration of the marriage 
mass. 

It must not be forgotten that the Holy Church 
has a particular mass for marriages, with an Epistle 
and Gospel of its own, and the most beautiful and 
appropriate prayers. What also makes this mass 
remarkable is, the solemn blessing of the marriage 
from the altar. After the " Pater Noster" the Priest, 
standing on the Epistle side, turns towards the mar- 
ried couple kneeling before him, and pronounces over 
them the benediction of the Church in the following 
words : 



364 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



THE NUPTIAL BLESSING. 

" God, by whom woman is joined to man, and 
" this union, instituted in the beginning, is still ac- 
" companied by a blessing which has never been 
" recalled, either by the punishment of original sin, 
" or by the judgment of the deluge, look kindly 
" down upon this thy handmaid, who being now to 
w be joined in wedlock, earnestly desires thy support 
" and protection. May she abide in the bond of love 
" and peace : may she marry in Christ faithful and 
" chaste : may she ever imitate the holy women of 
"%old, be like Rachel beloved by her husband, dis- 
" creet like Rebecca, and like Sara grow old in fidel- 
" ity : may the author of sin have never any share 
" in her actions. May she remain attached to the 
" faith and the commandments : and firm in this one 
" union, shun every unlawful familiarity. May she be 
" fortified by a life of regularity and self-control : 
" may she be modest and grave, bashful and retiring, 
u and well instructed in heavenly doctrine. May she 
M be fruitful in offspring ; be approved, and innocent ; 
" and may she at last arrive safely at the rest of the 
" Saints in the kingdom of heaven. May they both 
" see their children's children to the third and fourth 
" generation, and live to a happy old age : Through 
" Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 

Just before the last gospel, the Priest turns once 
more and blesses them, thus : 

u May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, 
" and the God of Jacob be with you, and may He 
" fulfil His blessing in you ; that you may see your 
" children's children to the third and fourth genera- 
" tion, and afterwards enjoy eternal life, by the help 



/ 



SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY. 365 



u of our Lord Jesus Christ : who with the Father and 
" the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth forever and ever. 
" Amen." 

How beautiful a sight, when Christians many 
thus ! first purified by a good sincere confession ; 
then joining innocent hands under the priestly stole, 
and before the altar ; then during Mass recommend- 
ing themselves to God's protection by their prayers, 
and the devout reception of the Holy Communion ; 
and lastly, kneeling to receive the pledge of that 
protection in the solemn Benediction of the Church. 
Is not this better than to many in the house, amidst 
confusion, dissipation, profane jests, and laughter ? 
Say rather, dear Catholic Christians, like Tobias and 
Sara : " We are children of the Saints, and must 
not be joined together like the heathen, who know not 

God: 1 

31* 



e 



366 



PLAINT INSTRUCTIONS. 



©n tt)t JOutks of particular States 
of £ife. 



I DUTIES OF MARRIED PERSONS. 

"Let every one of you in particular, love his 
ivife as himself and let the wife fear her husband.'' 1 
(Ephes. v. 33.) 

HOW HUSBANDS AND WIVES SHOULD LIVE TOGETHER. 

Since every man is placed in the world for this 
only end, that he may know God, love him, and serve 
him, and so work out his salvation, marriage is to 
Christians a means to serve God together, — to glorify 
him by their works, — and aid each other on the way 
to heaven. Husbands and wives ought therefore to 
encourage each other constantly, by word and exam- 
ple, to a holy life, by keeping the commandments of 
God, by their faith, their piety, and the practice of 
every virtue. This, however, they cannot do. unless 
they are also careful to fulfil those duties which they 
owe to each other. 

1. The first duty of married persons to each other, 
is that of mutual fidelity. The marriage bond is one 
of God's own making, and so close is this sacred 
union, that in Holy Scripture, husband and wife are 
said to have but one body : " They shall be tioo in 
one fleshy (Gen. ii. 24.) How wicked then, and 
how abominable is that sin which violates a union 
so intimate and holy ! Sometimes females become 



DUTIES OF THE MARRIED. 367 

less scrupulous after marriage than before, because 
they think they can sin with more impunity. But 
the eye of God is ever open, and he will punish them 
then more than ever, because their sin is greater, on 
account of the greater wrong done, and the violation 
of a holy sacrament. " What God hath joined to- 
gether" said our Lord Jesus Christ, in words of sol- 
emn warning, " let no man put asunder P (S. Matt, 
xix. 6.) Woe ! then, to the shameless woman, who 
defiles in her own person the marriage sacrament, 
and tramples on her most sacred vows ! God will 
revenge both himself and her husband, and visit 
her sin upon her guilty head. Woe ! to the guilty 
man who despises the warning of Jesus Christ, part- 
ing what He has joined together, and planting a 
poisoned dagger in his neighbor's bosom ! " Mar- 
riage is honorable in all, and the bed unde filed, but 
fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 
xiii. 4.) 

In this matter, dear Christians, do not trust even 
to your good intentions, but fly from danger at its 
first approach, and pray that you may not fall into 
temptation. And you especially, Christian wife, if 
you would be secure in that fidelity which you have 
plighted at the altar, treasure up these few words of 
advice : Shun carefully all books contrary to good 
morals. Do not allow yourself to indulge an ex- 
cessive love of society; above all, never listen to 
strange and flattering tongues. And finally, put 
away all fondness for dress and vanity ; and still 
more, shun all those fashions which are contrary to 
Christian modesty. A little spark can kindle a great 
fire ; . and again, none are so safe as those who fear 
to fell 



368 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



2. Let the husband consider his wife as his assist- 
ant, and not his servant. He is indeed the head of 
the woman, but as the head never plots mischief 
against the other members of the body, so must the 
husband never injure his wife, still less strike her, or 
in any way ill-treat her. " Husband and wife are one 
body ; no one ever hates his own flesh." 

The husband, too, in the marriage relation, repre- 
sents the person of Christ ; and Jesus Christ com- 
pares himself to a lamb. The husband, then, must 
be kind to his wife ; he must love her as Christ has 
loved his bride, the Church. And we know that 
Jesus Christ has undergone for his Church the hardest 
toils, the bitterest sorrows, yes, death itself the most 
ignominious death — of the Cross. 

3. On the other hand, the wife must be obedient 
to her husband in eveiy thing which is right. " Let 
women be subject to their husbands as to the Lord, 
for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is 
the head of the Church, Therefore, as the Church 
is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their 
husbands in all things." (Ephes. v. 22.) Remark this 
well, Christian wives, you must be subject to your 
husbands in all things ; of course sin excepted. 

Who does not know how many crosses and afflic- 
tions, yes, even bloody and most dreadful persecu- 
tions the Holy Church has suffered and still suffers, 
for her divine Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Just so 
must the wife endure until death with Christian 
patience, all the contradictions of this life for her 
husband. 

4. Both husbands and wives must love each other 
in sincerity, and think and speak well of one another, 
They should not be too curious to spy out each 



DUTIES OF THE MAEEIED. 369 



other's actions, but interpret all things favorably. 
They must not easily let suspicions enter their hearts ; 
above all, let them avoid every tale-bearer and whis- 
perer as a venomous snake, and allow such no en- 
trance into their house. Ridicule and abusive lan- 
guage should never be heard between husband and 
wife ; every thing should be done in Christian kind- 
ness and mildness, for one who is passionate cannot 
be agreeable to God, even if he should work miracles. 

The husband will correct a scolding wife by kind 
words better than by blows and curses. The wife 
will subdue a violent husband by silence and patience, 
better than by contradiction and sharp answers. 
When you see that by arguments you only make the 
matter worse, then wait awhile until the other party 
becomes quiet. A kind Christian admonition will 
not spoil by keeping. 

And since God's blessing, and the precious in- 
heritance of J esus Christ depend on peace and unity, 
one ought to yield and submit to the other for the 
sake of peace. Bear patiently, then, each other's 
faults and infirmities ; continue in the marriage bond, 
with Christian courage until death, and in the time 
of trial, say to yourself : God sees the disorderly life 
of my husband (or of my wife), and yet he is patient. 
Am I more than God ? God has suffered me, sinner 
that I am, to remain in the world so many years ; 
then I too will bear patiently the faults of my hus- 
band (or of my wife). Jesus Christ has saved the 
world by patience, and I must be saved by patience 
also. 

5. If God does not give you children, or takes 
them early out of the world, you must not give up 
to immoderate grief, but resign yourself with courage 



370 



PLAIN" INSTRUCTIONS. 



to the will of God. What God does is well done, 
" O, Lord, thy will be done !" It is better to have 
no children, than (perhaps) wicked ones, who would 
grow up to be no consolation, but a sorrow to their 
parents. 

6. According to the precept of the Apostle, it is 
necessary to be obedient to each other in the fulfil- 
ment of the marriage debt. To do otherwise would 
be to violate a duty, and to commit a sin. "Defraud 
not one another, except perhaps by consent, for a time, 
that you may give yourselves to prayer, and return 
together again, lest Satan tempt you? (1 Cor. vii. 5.) 
But this must be understood always within the 
bounds of reason and religion. Christians are not 
permitted to abuse their liberty by giving each other 
scandal, and least of all by scandalizing their chil- 
dren. They must make use of marriage in all mod- 
esty and forbearance, and only according to the in- 
stitution of God. Woe to them, especially, if they 
seek to hinder the sacred end for which marriage 
was principally instituted : namely, the propagation 
of children ! For this crime, as we read in Holy 
Scripture, God punished one of the sons of the Pa- 
triarch Juda, with sudden death. Observe always 
then, you who are married, the warning of the Apos- 
tle Paul, and "let marriage be honorable in all 
things, and the marriage bed undefiled." 

7. Finally, dear Christians, keep with mutual 
fidelity until death, those promises you made so 
solemnly before God, on the day of your union. As 
Jesus Christ has only one spouse, the Holy Catholic 
Church, and the Church has only one Lord, which is 
Jesus Christ, so, dear children of Christ and of the 
Church, love each other always, chastely, but truly, 



DUTIES OF PARENTS. 



371 



constantly, tenderly, with patience and mutual for- 
bearance. Aid each other in all the labors of life, 
cheer each other in its trials and sorrows, support 
each other in temptation by prayer and kindly coun- 
sel, that when hereafter you meet at the judgment, 
you may give joyful testimony for each other there, 
and receive your eternal reward together. 

II. DUTIES OF PARENTS AND HEADS OF 
FAMILIES. 

" If any man have not care of his own, and espe- 
cially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, 
and is worse than an infidel." (1 Tim. v. 8.) 



HOW THE FATHER OF A FAMILY OUGHT TO DO 
GOOD IN HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD. 

The Father of a family ought to question his chil- 
dren out of the Catechism. (See page 259 of this 
book.) He should not fail to send those under his 
care to Holy Mass and to receive Christian instruc- 
tion on all* Sundays ana Holy Days. But if it is ne- 
cessary to leave some one at home to take care of the 
house, let him not forget to take that one with him 
to church and instruction at another time. There 
should be no buying and selling during the time of 
divine service, that no one may be detained from 
worshipping God and hearing his holy word. If, in 
this way, the father of a family seeks first the king- 
dom of God, all the concerns of his household will be 
blessed by God. (Matth. vi. 33.) Let this be re- 
membered well by all innkeepers, butchers, me- 
chanics, grocers, trades-people, and those engaged in 



372 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



factories, and on public works, but especially by all 
in authority over others, because they particularly, 
in the day of judgment, will be called to a strict ac- 
count by the just Judge of all. Let them be sure 
that all gains made during the time of divine service 
at the cost of immortal souls, will bring them nothing 
but misfortune and sorrow. 

It is an excellent custom in many Christian fami- 
lies to have the Epistle and Gospel read by one of the 
children before dinner on Sundays and Holy Days. 

A Christian Father ought often to question his 
children about the preaching and instructions which 
they have heard, and make them repeat to him what 
they can remember. It is the custom in truly 
Christian families to read aloud some pious Catholic 
book on Sundays and Holy Days, in the afternoon, 
or evening, and also to sing together devout hymns 
and canticles, or engage in pious conversation. How 
sweetly in this way the holy hours are spent, and 
how such a life brings down the blessing of God 
upon the household ; for has not God himself prom- 
ised : " In every place where the memory of my name 
shall be, I will come to thee, and will bless thee" 
(Exod. xx. 24.) 

The good Father of a family will do well to see 
that all the members of his household learn the beau- 
tiful practices and prayers recommended in the be- 
ginning of this book, for their morning and evening 
devotions ; and also the method there given "to pass 
the day in a holy manner," (page 19.) For those 
who cannot read easily, or are too young to learn any 
longer prayers, he may teach them the following : 

1. As soon as they awake, let them bless them- 
selves with the sign of the cross, saying: "Jesus, 



DUTIES ,0F PAKENTS. 



373 



Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul." 
(The same when they lie down to sleep.) 

2. After they are dressed, let them kneel devoutly 
with their hands joined, and pray thus : " my God, 
I believe that thou art here present, I adore thee and 
love thee w T ith my whole heart : I thank thee for all 
thy goodness to me, and especially for having pre- 
served me during this night. I offer thee all the 
thoughts, words, and actions of this day. May thy 
holy Angels lead me and keep me from sin." (In 
the evening they may say : " I thank thee for all thy 
" goodness to me, and especially for having preserved 
" me during this day. I -offer thee my sleep, and 
" every breath I draw this night. May thy holy 
" Angels watch over me until morning") 

3. Then let them repeat the Creed, the Lord's 
Prayer, and the Hail Mary. Afterwards, three Hail 
Marys more in honor of the purity of the Blessed 
Virgin, and finally this prayer : " Virgin Mary, my 
" mother, and my hope, I place myself under thy 
" mantle, and there I wish to live and to die. Pre- 
" serve me from sin, and give me thy holy Benedic- 
" tioh." (The same in the evening.) 

The Christian Father should cultivate in his house- 
hold a constant veneration for the ho]y Cross. For 
this purpose, he ought often to show one to his little 
children, that they may kiss the feet of Christ on the 
cross. He should try to engage his whole family in 
the beautiful devotion of the " Way of the Cross," so 
rich in holy indulgences. But if there are no sta- 
tions of the cross erected in the church, or in the 
place where he lives, there is to be found at least in 
every town, in every church, and in every Christian 
house, a crucifix. He should theieiure endeavor to 
4 32 



376 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



his house, or with whom his children keep com- 
pany, and what they occupy themselves about. He 
must provide, as far as possible, that at night they 
do not sleep together, two or more in one bed. This 
must always be forbidden to children, after they have 
reached the age of eight or ten years. 

In no truly Christian house should dancing be 
tolerated, or any amusement of immoral tendency. 
The daughters should never be allowed to attend a 
party, or other place of amusement, without their 
mother, or some safe and experienced person, and 
whenever permitted to go out for their enjoyment, 
be careful that they come home early, and never 
leave them to be accompanied home at night by 
any man. And, Christian fathers, you should never 
permit your children to be present at balls, the thea- 
tre, or at immoral shows of any description. 

The father of a family should carefully banish 
from his house all heretical books and tracts, and 
even those bibles which are published and circulated 
by heretics ; so also all novels, romances, and love 
stones, and every indecent picture or statue. He 
should admonish his family against all superstitious 
practices, and suffer nothing of the kind under his 
roof. In like manner he ought not knowingly to 
tolerate in his house any sin, such as profanity, slan- 
der, immodest language, &c. He ought to keep an 
eye upon all that goes on, or if he cannot himself 
oversee every thing, he should, at least, have some 
person on whom he can depend to do so for him. 
Let him be kind and affectionate to all in his family, 
without leaving any sin to go unreproved. Such 
fathers only will be able to stand without fear before 
the tribunal of God. He must not allow any ill-will 



DUTIES OF PARENTS. 



377 



to exist between the members of bis household, but 
try to promote amoug them all a spirit of kind at- 
tention and of tender affection to each other. 

The Christian father will not allow his children, 
of either sex, to grow up in idleness, remembering 
that idleness is the parent of every vice. If his 
means will not allow him to keep them occupied in 
their studies at school, he will occupy them at home, 
or put them out to labor or to learn some useful 
trade. Do not, however, give way like so many 
parents in this country to a foolish pride, and en- 
deavor to bring up your children in a style above 
their condition. If you are poor, be content with 
those schools where your children can learn to read 
and to write, <fec, and do not allow them to waste 
their time with music, embroidery, drawing, and 
such like showy accomplishments, which will only 
make them proud, and teach them to despise their 
own parents, and to scorn all honest labor. If you 
bring up your children in this way, be sure your 
boys will become idle and wicked ; your girls, on 
the other hand, will learn all the fashionable vices of 
the rich ; they will bo too proud to marry with any 
honest man of their own condition, and perhaps 
sooner or later become the victims of some well- 
dressed, flattering villain. " God rejecteth the proud, 
but giveth his grace to the humble" 

When Christian parents wish to give their sons 
and daughters in marriage, they should think more 
of the Christian virtue and sincere faith of the bride 
and bridegroom than of their riches. They should 
never permit the betrothed persons to live in the 
same house before marriage, or even to be much to- 
gether without the presence of their parents. A 
32* 



378 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



great deal of sin is prevented where parents are wise 
enough to take these precautions. 

HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMILY OUGHT 
TO ACT TOWARDS HIS SERVANTS. 

He must by no means allow them to run out 
freely at night, and he ought not to receive persons 
of different sexes into his service without great pre- 
caution, or permit them to be much together. Let 
him close the house in the evening and keep the 
keys himself. He ought promptly to dismiss those 
servants who are likely to lead their fellow-servants 
or the children of his family into sin. Masters and 
mistresses should make it their business to inquire 
frequently whether at night all their servants, their 
apprentices, as well as all their children are at home. 
Let them rather be too strict than too easy in this 
respect, and never allow any night-walking, for in 
such matters indulgence is a fatal sword, which gives 
death to immortal souls. O how many children 
will curse their parents eternally in hell, how many 
servants their masters and mistresses, because of their 
indulgence to them in this respect ! 

Let the father of a family treat all those of his 
household with charity, and be like a true father to 
them all, and not like a tyrant. He must not keep 
them so hard at work as to prevent them from say- 
ing their prayers morning and evening, and from 
hearing the Word of God on Sundays and Holy 
Days. In sickness, too, he must be to them like a 
father. Let him give them always at the time 
agreed upon their fair and full wages, sufficient 
nourishment, and every thing else which they need. 



DUTIES OF PARENTS. 



379 



Be too liberal in these matters rather than too close, 
and you will always have faithful servants. 

Finally, the Christian father of a family should 
try to establish and maintain in his household a 
truly religious and Catholic spirit. Let him teach 
all the members of his family to honor Jesus Christ 
their Lord in the Clergy of his Church, to receive 
all salutary admonitions from the directors of their 
souls with willing obedience, and always to love like 
a dear mother that one holy Catholic and only true 
Church, which alone is able to save us ; and lastly, 
like good children, to cherish a tender confidence in 
Mary, the blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
whom he charged, in the very hour of his agony, to 
be a mother to us also. 

HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMILY OUGHT TO 
CONDUCT HIMSELF TOWARDS HIS NEIGHBORS. 

He ought not to meddle without good reason in 
the affairs of others. Let him show a compassionate 
heart towards his destitute neighbors, and do to 
others as he would have them do to him and to his 
family. He must not allow his wife or children to 
draw him into foolish disputes and jealousy with his 
neighbors ; on the contrary, let him always try to 
preserve peace and yield to others as much as possi- 
ble. He should always be ready to be reconciled 
with his adversary, and be willing to give up some- 
thing if need be, in order to shun, as much as possi- 
ble, all disputes, or lawsuits. 



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great deal of sin is prevented where parents are wise 
enough to take these precautions. 

HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMILY OUGHT 
TO ACT TOWARDS HIS SERVANTS. 

He must by no means allow them to run out 
freely at night, and he ought not to receive persons 
of different sexes into his service without great pre- 
caution, or permit them to be much together. Let 
him close the house in the evening and keep the 
keys himself. He ought promptly to dismiss those 
servants who are likely to lead their fellow-servants 
or the children of his family into sin. Masters and 
mistresses should make it their business to inquire 
frequently whether at night all their servants, their 
apprentices, as well as all their children are at home. 
Let them rather be too strict than too easy in this 
respect, and never allow any night-walking, for in 
such matters indulgence is a fatal sword, which gives 
death to immortal souls. how many children 
will curse their parents eternally in hell, how many 
servants their masters and mistresses, because of their 
indulgence to them in this respect ! 

Let the father of a family treat all those of his 
household with charity, and be like a true father to 
them all, and not like a tyrant. He must not keep 
them so hard at work as to prevent them from say- 
ing their prayers morning and evening, and from 
hearing the Word of God on Sundays and Holy 
Days. In sickness, too, he must be to them like a 
father. Let him give them always at the time 
agreed upon their fair and full wages, sufficient 
nourishment, and every thing else which they need. 



DUTIES OF PARENTS. 



379 



Be too liberal in these matters rather than too close, 
and you will always have faithful servants. 

Finally, the Christian father of a family should 
try to establish and maintain in his household a 
truly religious and Catholic spirit. Let him teach 
all the members of his family to honor Jesus Christ 
their Lord in the Clergy of his Church, to receive 
all salutary admonitions from the directors of their 
souls with willing obedience, and always to love like 
a dear mother that one holy Catholic and only true 
Church, which alone is able to save us ; and lastly, 
like good children, to cherish a tender confidence in 
Mary, the blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
whom he charged, in the very hour of his agony, to 
be a mother to us also. 

HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMILY OUGHT TO 
CONDUCT HIMSELF TOWARDS HIS NEIGHBORS. 

He ought not to meddle without good reason in 
the affairs of others. Let him show a compassionate 
heart towards his destitute neighbors, and do to 
others as he would have them do to him and to his 
family. He must not allow his wife or children to 
draw him into foolish disputes and jealousy with his 
neighbors ; on the contrary, let him always try to 
preserve peace and yield to others as much as possi- 
ble. He should always be ready to be reconciled 
with his adversary, and be willing to give up some- 
thing if need be, in order to shun, as much as possi- 
ble, all disputes, or lawsuits. 



sso 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMILY SHOULD 
FULFIL THE DUTIES WHICH HE OWES TO HIMSELF. 

Put a close restraint upon all your disorderly in- 
clinations and passions. Do not obstinately hold 
fast to your own will, and your own ideas. In all 
doubtful and important matters take counsel of some 
man of piety and experience. Do not indulge in 
play or drink ; avoid the tavern as much as possi- 
ble, or else you will bring disgrace upon your head, 
and sorrow to your fireside. Those friends are not 
worth having whose hearts need liquor to make 
them warm. Be industrious and persevering in 
your business. Having first well reflected upon 
what you are about to do, begin promptly, and per- 
severe with manly courage. Do not be afraid of 
hard labor ; think how some you love look to you 
for their bread, and this thought will put strength in 
your arms. Finally, good Christian father, love 
prayer; yes, pray earnestly and constantly, out of 
love to God, for your own salvation, and that of 
your dear family, and heaven's best blessing shall be 
with you. 

HOW THE GOOD CHRISTIAN MOTHER OUGHT TO FULFIL 
HER DUTIES TO HER CHILDREN. 

1. Christian mother, it belongs to you to provide 
both for the temporal and the eternal welfare of your 
little children. You must cherish with great care 
the precious fruit which you bear about in your 
womb, in order that it may come safely to the grace 
of holy baptism. Therefore, during the time of your 
pregnancy, be careful not to lift any heavy burden, 



DUTIES OF PARENTS. 



381 



or make any sudden effort ; neither eat nor drink 
any thing that can injure you ; guard yourself also 
against every violent emotion, such as anger, grief, 
&c, and remember that you are charged with the 
&afe keeping of an immortal being, whom God has 
created for eternal happiness. Do not take your 
little babes into bed with you during your sleep. 
How many mothers have mourned for their whole 
lifetime, because in this way they have caused the 
death of their children. Do not allow them, when 
more advanced, to sleep with their parents in the 
same bed, and if possible, not in the same room, for 
fear of giving scandal to their innocent minds. This 
thing becomes more horrible as they increase in 
years. When your children are already seven or 
eight years old, separate them in the night from 
each other, for in this way you will remove from 
them the occasion of committing many sins. Go 
often secretly to observe what your children are 
doing in the chambers, stables, and other by-places, 
for by such watchfulness you can prevent a great 
deal of mischief. 

2. As soon as you have given birth to a child, 
give thanks to God; offer it to him, and promise 
him that you will bring it up in a Christian manner 
for his service. 

When you lay your child down in the cradle, or 
take it up again, sign it with the holy sign of the 
cross, and sprinkle it with holy water. As soon as 
the child begins to speak, do you begin also to teach 
it to pray. Teach it how to make the sign of the 
cross, and to say, " Our Father," and the " Hail 
Mary." Teach it that there is only one God in 
three persons ; that the Son of God became man for 



382 



PLAIN instructions. 



us, and has redeemed us by his death ; that God is 
a just judge, who rewards the good, and punishes 
the wicked. As a Christian mother, see that your 
children say their prayers when they get up, and 
when they go to bed, and before and after meals. 
Take them early to church, and do not allow them 
to be guilty of any irreverence there. Often say to 
them what the holy Queen Blanche said to her 
little son, St. Louis : " My child, I would rather see 
you die, than to see you offend God by one sin." 

3. Are your children bad, disobedient, and obsti- 
nate ? Do not, on that account, swear at them, and 
abuse them, for in this way you will only teach them 
to curse, and to be passionate also; but admonish 
them seriously, and if they do not amend, use the 
rod, not while you are in anger, but when your mind 
has become quiet and calm again. " He that spareth 
the rod, hateth his son so God himself teaches us 
in Holy Scripture. If you bring up your children 
in the fear of God, and in good habits, they will 
grow up for your own great consolation, for the glory 
of God, and the joy of the holy angels. 

4. As to the education of your older children, you 
must contribute all in your power, and conscien- 
tiously endeavor to co-operate with your husband in 
this respect. When they are put to school, be care- 
ful to see that they go constantly, and always in good 
time. Do not lend yourself to those false excuses 
by which they seek to avoid study. Do not easily 
believe those reports which they sometimes bring 
home against their teachers, accusing them of par- 
tiality, injustice, or cruelty. It is a great folly for 
parents to be angry, when their children have been 
chastised at school for their idleness or misbehavior. 



DUTIES OF PARENTS. 



383 



On the contrary, you should not defend them, nor 
listen to their complaints, but be thankful to the 
teacher for his kindness and attention. Even when 
one of them should be moderately beaten by a neigh- 
bor, on account of some mischief, or impudence, do 
not make it a cause of quarrel. You will do much 
better, in most cases, by taking part against your child, 
and applying your own hand to the same spot, while 
it is still red. On the other hand, it is not often 
prudent to beat the children of others, because most 
parents are too foolish to take this in good part. 

Do not allow your daughters any intimacy with 
persons of the other sex ; do not permit them to run 
about in the evening, or at night, or to be walking in 
lonely places ; never leave them alone with any man, 
no matter who it may be ; and try in every way to 
guard them from all occasions of sin. Do not bring 
up your daughters to be proud and vain. Clothe 
them neatly and suitably to their circumstances, but 
never allow them to dress gaudily, and still less to 
go about with neck and shoulders bare, for in this 
way you will be guilty of corrupting your own chil- 
dren, and teaching them to ruin the souls of others. 
Never permit your daughter to enter into a promise 
of marriage with any man without your knowledge. 
But even when she is engaged by a promise to some 
one with your own approval and consent, never let 
them be long together alone, either at home or 
abroad, and least of all, at night. 

Your duties towards your servant girls are, in this 
respect, the same as towards your daughters. Keep 
a very watchful eye over them, and never allow them 
any thing that may be to their soul's hurt. 

Dear Christians ! fathers and mothers, parents and 



384 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



guardians, masters and mistresses ! consider well this 
earnest warning, which we give you : As many sub- 
jects as God has committed to your keeping in this 
world, so many souls you will one day have to give 
account for to him ; for what St. Paul tells us of the 
clergy in his epistle to the Hebrews (xiii. 17), is 
true also of you : " They watch as being to render an 
account of your souls" Remember, moreover, that 
these souls are purchased by the precious blood of 
Jesus Christ. Can there well be a greater respon- 
sibility than to have an account to give for the abuse 
of the precious blood of Jesus Christ ? 

III. DUTIES OF CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS. 

"Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou 
may est be long-lived upon the land which the Lord 
thy God will give thee" (Exod. xx. 12.) 

1. Children are bound to cherish a filial reverence 
for their parents, and to manifest it at all times. No 
condition in life, no age whatever, can excuse you 
from this duty. Always make use of kind and re- 
spectful words to your parents, even if they treat you 
unjustly. Never return them rough, insolent, and 
surly answers ; never give them nicknames. Be 
careful how you despise them, or feel ashamed of 
them, on account of their simplicity, poverty, or hum- 
ble condition. Was the Son of God ever ashamed 
of his poor mother and his poor foster-father ? Why, 
then, should you be ashamed of your poor parents, 
or despise them ? 

2. You owe your parents the most exact obe- 
dience in all things that are not sinful, and contrary 



DUTIES OF CHILDREN. 



385 



to the will of God. Obey them most particularly in 
all they command you for your soul's salvation, and 
when they forbicLyou any thing which would be hurt- 
ful to your soul. Do you not know, my dear chil- 
dren, what a severe account those parents have to 
give to God, who do not bring up their children 
well ? Why should you, then, take it ill if your pa- 
rents do their duty as their conscience dictates, and 
try to keep you in the way of virtue ? Would you 
wish that, for your satisfaction, they should lose their 
souls eternally, and burn forever in hell ? 

3. You owe to your parents the most tender love. 
Next to God, your parents are your greatest bene- 
factors. How much trouble, sickness, and sorrow 
has your mother endured for you, even before she 
brought you into the world ! How many years did 
she carry you in her arms, feed you with her milk, 
cherish and care for you with a mother's love ! 
How much toil and care have you not cost your 
father, that he might feed, clothe, and educate you ! 
See how God himself appeals to you in the Holy 
Scripture : " With thy whole heart honor thy fa- 
ther, and forget not the groanings of thy mother : 
Remember that thou hadst not been born but through 
them, and make a return to them as they have done 
for thee. 1 ' (Eccli. vii. 29.) 

My dear son ! my daughter ! remember that you 
will bring down the curse of God upon yourself and 
your children, if you use your parents unkindly, if 
you despise them, or (which God forbid!) if you 
strike or push them, or if you do not take pity on 
them in their necessities. Call to mind the examples 
of the Saints ; place before your eyes young Tobias, 
or Joseph in Egypt, and other Saints, as examples of 
33 



386 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



filial love, and consider that it was on account of the 
love of these pious children for their parents, that 
God blessed them so abundantly, eyen on earth, and 
made them eternally happy in heaven. 

4. Commonly speaking, you should not make 
choice of any state of life without the knowledge 
and approbation of your parents, especially when 
there is question of marriage. It requires very strong 
reasons indeed to excuse you for doing otherwise. 
Aid your parents as much as you can in their house- 
hold duties ; try to make their burdens lighter ; sym- 
pathize with them in all their cares ; do not abandon 
them in their old age ; and when they become feeble 
and suffering, do not withhold from them that assist- 
ance which they have a right to expect from you, 
but contribute, with generous gratitude, all you can 
for their support and comfort, and God will bless 
you for it. 

Attend upon them in sickness, nurse them with 
the greatest possible affection, call in a physician 
when they need one, and do not fail to have 
the holy Sacrament administered to them in good 
season. 

After their death, see to it that they are decently 
buried, according to their condition, and take care 
that their poor souls shall not want for prayers, mass- 
es, and alms. Fulfil scrupulously their last will ; 
pray for them ; visit sometimes their graves, in order 
to pray for them there, and try, by your own good 
Christian life, to honor your dear parents, even after 
they are dead. 



DUTIES OF SERVANTS. 



387 



IV. OF THE DUTIES OF SERVANTS. 

1. Hear what holy lessons God gives to servants, 
by the mouth of his Apostles. " Servants, be obe- 
dient to your masters, with fear and trembling, in tlie 
simplicity of your heart, serving with a good will as 
to the Lord, knowing that whatsoever good thing any 
man shall do, the same shall he receive from the 
Lord: 1 (Ephes. vi. 5-8.) 

Therefore, Christian servant, although you should 
plainly perceive that your master and your mistress, 
or any other superior is wicked, still do every thing 
they command you, only do not imitate them in 
their sins. " Servants, be subject to your masters 
with all fear, — not only to the good and gentle, but 
also to the froward." (1 Pet. ii. 18.) 

If, however, they solicit you to commit sin, or or- 
der you to do any thing wrong, do not obey them, 
but resist all evil ; for the favor of man continues 
from morning until evening, but the favor of God 
eternally. " Fear not those that kill the body, but 
rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body 
in hell." (Matth. x. 28.) Quit, rather, as soon as 
possible, such a dangerous service, and say to your- 
self : What profit shall I have if I gain the whole 
world and lose my immortal soul ? 

2. Never forget that all men, as being the chil- 
dren of Adam and Eve, are born to labor. Be will- 
ing, therefore, to employ yourself about any kind of 
labor. He who works industriously has not much 
time to sin : on the contrary, he gains great merit, 
when often during his work he says to himself : " I 
will perform this labor for the love of God." He 



388 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



who works with a good intention, prays continually. 
It is a beautiful and commendable custom to sweeten 
one's labor by pious songs, but for God's sake, never 
sing immodest ones ! Never take part in slander and 
idle talk, and let no false witness ever proceed out of 
your mouth. 

For God's sake, be careful never to lend your exam- 
ple, your assistance, or your counsel to any one, es- 
pecially to a child of the family, or to a fellow-ser- 
vant, in any wicked act, whether of impurity or theft, 
or any other sin ; otherwise you will be judged by 
the living God as a destroyer of souls. Keep your- 
self from all these sins, and to that end shun all the 
occasions of evil, and every dangerous party. Keep 
from intemperance, and from drinking compan- 
ions : it will make you miserable for time and for 
eternity. 

Especially keep the Sundays holy, and the Holy 
Days. Often make to yourself this serious reflec- 
tion : Of what advantage is it to a poor servant or 
laborer to earn a little money every week, and that 
with difficulty too ; and then afterwards, and above 
all, on Sundays and Holy Days, by licentious and 
impure conversation, by gaming and drinking, dan- 
cing and other wanton and wicked conduct, to lose 
what is more precious to him than all things else, 
the friendship of Jesus Christ, the hope of heaven, 
and the blessing of his God ? 



TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN. 



389 



V. OF THE CONDUCT OF UNMARRIED PERSONS 
OF BOTH SEXES. 

" Remember thy Creator in the days of thy yoiMh, 
before the time of affliction comer (Eccles. xii. 1.) 

ADVICE TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN. 

1. The young Catholic Christian should firmly 
maintain the holy faith of his baptism. He should 
never be ashamed of it, but confess it openly and 
manfully before the whole world. Would it not be 
a thing to blush for, if, while Catholics are proud of 
their faith in other countries, where many of them 
are rich, noble, and powerful, they should, on the 
contrary, be ashamed of their religion here, because 
the high places of wealth, power, and fashion are 
occupied by heretics % The young Catholic should 
be above such mean and cowardly motives. Let him 
remember that his is the only true and divine faith ; 
that the Catholic Church alone has survived the 
changes and revolutions of 1800 years; that millions 
of martyrs have bled for it, and millions more have 
confessed it before persecutors, before ever the world 
had heard or dreamed of Protestants. He should 
look with charity and pity upon all the perishing and 
deluded multitude of heretics and infidels around 
him, but never give in to their false principles, never 
deny his faith, nor hide it, nor darken it, nor blush 
for it. " He that shall deny me before men" said our 
Lord Jesus Christ, " / will also deny him before my 
Father, who is in heaven" (St. Matt. x. 33.) From 
the same principle of faith, never allow yourself to 
33* 



390 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



be drawn into any dangerous order forbidden by the 
Holy Church, like that of the Free-Masons, or Odd- 
Fellows. Join no secret societies, not even those 
which profess to be Catholic, or to be instituted for 
the reform of morals. To the Church alone, God 
has committed the task of reforming and saving the 
world. 

2. The young Catholic Christian should practise 
faithfully the duties of his religion. You will not be 
saved only because you are a Catholic, but when you 
are a true and pious one. Let not weak and silly 
minds persuade you that it is an unmanly thing to 
engage in exercises of piety. Were not Josue, and 
David, and the brave Machabees manly men? Listen 
to the following history of that great and virtuous 
hero, Simon, Count of Montfort, who lived in the 
twelfth century, and was equally distinguished for 
his piety and his bravery. One morning while the 
Catholic army were encamped before the city of 
Toulouse, which they were besieging, Simon was de- 
voutly occupied in prayer at the time of the Holy 
Mass. The intelligence was there brought to him 
that the enemy were approaching. Simon, however, 
did not move. Just as the Priest was about to con- 
secrate, the word came again : " The battle is be- 
ginning, come immediately." " Let me alone," said 
Simon, " I will not go until I see my Saviour." He 
waited a moment longer until the consecration was 
ended, adored the sacred Body of his Lord, and then 
went out to lead his army to a glorious victory. Do 
not say, then, young Christians, that piety is only a 
virtue of weak-minded men, as if heaven were made 
for the foolish and timid, and hell only for the brave 
and manly. Follow the example of all truly good 



TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN. 391 



and faithful Catholics. Be constant like them to 
your religious duties, such as daily prayer, confes- 
sion, and the holy Communion, and never leave 
your place vacant on Sundays and Holy Days. 
Be not corrupted by the love of money, or of 
pleasure, but remember what Jesus Christ said : 
" What doth it profit a man, if he gain the ivhole 
ivorld, and suffer the loss of his own soul P (Matt, 
xvi. 26.) 

3. Be always industrious. Man is born to labor ; 
without this there can be no true piety nor virtue. 
Remember that excellent maxim, that idleness is the 
father of many vices. For this reason, no one looks 
for piety, honesty, or purity on the street corners, or 
under an idle hat. a If any man will not work,'' 1 
says the Apostle Paul, " neither let him eat. We 
charge them that are such, and beseech them by the 
Lord Jesus Christ, that working they would eat their 
own bread." (2 Thes. iii. 10.) 

4. Be sober and temperate in all things. " No 
drunkards shall possess the kingdom of God" (1 
Cor. vi. 10.) how many young men of most ex- 
cellent and amiable qualities, have been ruined by 
this vice, both for this world and for eternity ! And 
yet, many of them had good intentions enough in 
some sort, they did not wish to be intemperate, or 
to die a drunkard's death. If then, my dear young 
Mends, you would be safe, never frequent the tav- 
erns, or those places where intemperate men are 
accustomed to assemble, nor keep intoxicating li- 
quors in your house, nor associate with wild, dissi- 
pated, and drinking young men. " He that loveth 
danger ? says the Prophet, " shall perish in it." (Eccli. 
iii. 27.) 



392 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



5. Finally, young Christian, nothing can injure or 
dishonor you more than the sin of impurity. Ac- 
cording to the maxims of the world, this sin ought 
not to be regarded as such, or, at least, as one of 
little consequence, a pardonable weakness. The re- 
ligion of Jesus Christ, however, teaches a different 
lesson. It tells us that impurity is a dreadful sin, a 
dishonor to God our Sovereign Lord, an injury to 
Jesus Christ, who redeemed us, and a profanation of 
the Holy Ghost, who sanctifies us. The impure man 
dishonors God his sovereign Lord, for he makes of 
the object of his guilty passion an idol which he 
adores, sacrificing to it his peace, his health, his 
honor, his fortune, the grace of God, and his soul's 
life. God is no more the sovereign of his heart, 
but a creature of clay, to whom he offers up all his 
thoughts and desires. Is not this a great crime ? Is 
it not a detestable ingratitude towards God ? 

The impure man dishonors Jesus Christ our Prince 
and Redeemer. " Know you not that your bodies 
are the members of Christ ? Shall I then take the 
members of Christ, and make them the members of 
a harlot ? God forbid." So wrote the great Apostle 
of the Gentiles. (1 Cor. vi. 15.) Are we not made by 
baptism children of God, brethren of Jesus Christ, 
co-heirs with him of the kingdom of his heavenly 
Father, and members even of his own body ? How 
horribly, then, does the impure sinner treat the mem- 
bers of Jesus Christ ? 

Finally, the sin of impurity dishonors the Holy 
Ghost. " Know you not" says the apostle, " that 
your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, 
vjho is in you f- (1 Cor. vi. 19.) But the Christian 
who commits a sin of impurity, chases away the 



TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN. 393 



Holy Ghost from his heart, and makes room in it for 
the impure spirit. 

But would you, young Christian man, see still 
more clearly the greatness of this sin, call to mind 
the awful punishments by which God has chastised 
it. Open the books of Holy Scripture, and you 
will see there how God sent a universal deluge upon 
the earth, and how all men, with the 'exception of 
the one family of Noah, were swallowed up by the 
waters, and you will see there that impurity was the 
dreadful sin which made God so angry against the 
world, and for which he punished it so severely. 
You will see there, too, how some time after this 
terrible event, ail the houses and inhabitants of 
Sodom and Gomorrah, and of three other cities, were 
burned to ashes by a shower of brimstone and fire- 
But what sin had the inhabitants of Sodom and 
Gomorrah committed, that they drew down ven- 
geance from heaven in so terrible a manner ? It 
was the sin of impurity. Afterwards, twenty-four 
thousand Israelites were slain in the wilderness, by 
the command of God, because they had sinned with 
the daughters of the Madianites. On account of 
their unnatural sins, Her and Onan, the sons of Juda, 
were struck dead, and the seven husbands of Sara 
were strangled in the night by the devil, in punish- 
ment of their wicked desires. Can any one look 
upon this sin as a trifle, or an excusable weakness, 
when it is punished so severely by an infinitely holy 
and just Judge ? 

But all these punishments, terrible as they may 
appear, cannot be * compared with those which God 
has reserved for the impure, in the life to come. "The 
Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thine/ to 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



fall into the hands of the living God? (Heb. x. 30.) 
For this reason, in earlier times, the Church inflicted 
a severe penance of seven years upon the sin of 
impurity ; and, if it was also adultery, fifteen years. 

This sin is moreover beyond all others dangerous, 
for the reason that every thing which is done contrary 
to purity, if it is done deliberately, becomes at once 
a mortal sin/ 

When, for example, you are guilty of a slight 
falsehood, or are a little angry, &c, it is not at once 
a mortal sin ; but as soon as you consent to impurity, 
if it be only in thought, it is already a great sin, 
Therefore, embraces, and such like indecent famili- 
arities, cannot easily take place between persons of 
different sexes without mortal sin. 

Therefore, dear Christian youth, avoid with horror 
this detestable vice, which dishonors and destroys 
both soul and body, and has contributed more to fill 
hell, than any other. Avoid also those dangerous 
places and amusements which lead to it, such as the 
theatre, the circus, dancing, reading novels, &c. 
Avoid as much as possible the society of females, 
especially those who are loose and familiar in their 
manners. Do not take part in immodest conversation, 
nor allow your ears to be defiled with it. Even when 
you are alone, think how God sees and judges all 
things. And finally, dear young Christians, pray. 
! never forget to pray, especially in the moment of 
temptation. In this wicked and lost world, you must 
never cease to pray, if you would escape from the 
general ruin. 



TO YOUNG CATHOLIC WOMEN. 395 



ADVICE TO YOUNG CATHOLIC WOMEN. 

Innocence, young Christian maidens, is the most 
precious treasure you have on earth, and you ought 
to prefer death to losing it. In order, therefore, that 
you may not lose it, fly from every danger, even the 
most remote, which could rob you of it. In every 
danger which you cannot avoid, fight like Chris- 
tian heroines for the preservation of your purity ; 
employ every possible means to guard it unstained, 
not only before man, but also in the eyes of God, and 
of your own conscience. "Blessed are the clean of 
heart" says our Saviour Jesus Christ, "for they shall 
see God" Pay attention, now, while I show you the 
principal dangers which threaten your innocence. 

The most dangerous enemies to holy purity, and 
those which you ought to shun the most carefully, are : 

1. Vain-glory, or an excessive desire to please the 
world. 

Let it be your first endeavor to please God. When 
you are pleasing to God, you are pleasing to the 
Angels in heaven, and to all good Christians. Try, 
then, like noble-hearted Virgins, to be beautiful, not 
in the eyes of men, but in the eye of God. 

2. Vanity in dress. "The adorning of women" 
writes the holy Apostle Peter, " ought not to be the 
outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, 
or the putting on of apparel, but the hidden man of 
the heart in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a 
meek spirit, which is rich in the sight of God." 
(1 Pet. iii. 3.) The young woman who is truly pious 
will not try to draw upon herself the eyes of others 
by the color and gayety of her dress ; she does not seek 
to obtain for herself praise and consideration by the 



396 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



display of vam ornaments and new fashions. "Favor 
is deceitful and beauty is vain ; the woman thatfearcth 
the Lord, she shall be praised " (Prov. xxxi. 30.) 

If hitherto, young Christian woman, you have 
given way to this foolish vanity, allow yourself to be 
admonished, and amend. Hear what happy effects 
have followed even in a heathen country, from the 
modesty of women in their apparel : 

In CortoDa, a city of Italy, in the year 529 before 
the birth of Christ, the corruption of morals had be- 
come so great that the whole city was threatened 
with ruin. Pythagoras, a wise philosopher of that 
day, represented to the inhabitants their danger in so 
forcible a manner, that they determined to amend. 
The women took the first steps. On a certain day 
they all, with one consent laying aside their jewels, 
and their garments embroidered with gold, hastened 
to the temple and there solemnly promised to dress 
more modestly for the future, and to seek their true 
ornaments in simplicity and virtue. From that mo- 
ment frugality and the love of order were restored in 
their families, a foundation was soon laid for the 
better education of the young, and the state was 
saved. See what female virtue can accomplish, and 
how important is modesty in dress to the mainte- 
nance of good morals. 

3. Imprudence in looks, gestures, and words. 

Keep, young maidens, to the example which St. 
Ambrose places before you of the blessed Virgin. 
He says : u She had nothing bold in her eyes, nothing 
free in her words, nothing unbecoming in her actions." 

Let your eyes be modest. There is great meaning 
in that prayer of David: "Turn away my eyes thai 
they may not behold vanity" (Ps. cxviii. 37.) The 



TO YOUNG CATHOLIC WOMEN. 397 



young St. Aloysius was for years in attendance on 
the queen of Spain and did not know her face. 
Speak little, and let that little be modest. "In the 
multitude of words, said Solomon, u there shall not 
want sin." 

4. Bad company. 

"Evil communications corrupt good manners, and 
he that toucheth pitch shall be defiled with it" 
(Eccles. xiii. 1.) Dances, balls, and plays are danger- 
ous and ruinous for a young woman. In the volup- 
tuous dance innocence dies, and on the way home it 
will be buried. The first step on the dancing floor 
is, for the greatest part, the first step towards seduc- 
tion. Young Christian women, never go out alone 
in the evening, shun all those parties, meetings, and 
entertainments where modesty must blush, and 
where there is improper conduct going on. 

5. Familiarity with persons of the other sex. 

In this way a spark is soon thrown into the heart, 
there it becomes fire, and fire burns and consumes. 
Never give up to a feeling of attachment for any man, 
for passion is blind and blinding. Your safety is in 
flight. Never remain alone with any man unless it 
be absolutely necessary. Do not trust to your own 
virtue, for : "He that loveth danger shall perish in 
it." (Eccles. iii. 27.) 

Receive no gift from any man. Do not sell your 
innocence for gold, for a gay dress, a pretty ring, <fcc. 
Remember that God is richest of all, and will give 
you something more beautiful in Heaven. In the 
moment of dangerous solicitation, do not trifle with 
the danger by useless remonstrance, but fly at once, 
and if detained by force, cry aloud for help. This 
will cover you with honor, and your enemy with 
34 



398 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



shame. Be willing to suffer death rather than con- 
sent to sin for one moment. And if your tempter 
threatens you that he will take your life or his own, 
fear not, and tell him boldly that you will not be lost 
for his sake. You have the right even to take his 
life, if you can, rather than to submit to his wicked 
will. 

If in your father's house you are in danger from 
any person who lives there, tell your parents of it, 
that he may be sent away at once. 

If you are out at service and any one lays a snare 
for your innocence, make complaint immediately to 
your master or mistress, and if they do not assist 
you, leave their service. It is better for you to suffer 
every kind of mockery, poverty, and persecution, than 
to fall into the hands of the living God as a guilty 
sinner. 

At night lock the door of your chamber, do not 
listen to any tempting voice at the window, but say 
in your heart : Jesus, stay here with me ! For 
thee I wish to live and die ! If you have in the same 
room a female companion who keeps improper com- 
pany, you should admonish her, and if that does no 
good, make it known to your master and mistress, 
that you may not yourself be corrupted by her. 
Think of the consequence of an impure life, and how 
bitter is that repentance which comes too late. A 
licentious youth brings a sad old age. 

6. Improper reading. 

For God's sake, never read any of those novels,- ro- 
mances, and other such dangerous books, which are 
now, unhappily, so very common. Alas ! they have 
ruined too many souls already. Dear young Chris- 
tians ! make the firm resolution this very moment, 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK. 399 



that you will never read them any more. In fine, try 
in all respects to live in such a manner that when 
you stand before the sacred altar, on the day of your 
marriage, you may have a pure heart and a pure 
hand to give away ; or if you remain single, that 
you may take the treasury of your innocence with 
you to the grave, and in heaven be numbered forever 
with that lovely band of Virgins, whose glorious 
privilege it is " to follow the Lamb whithersoever He 
goethr (Apoc. xiv. 1-6.) 



3, £ittU fttanual for % &kk anfr 



" Watch ye, therefore, because you know not at 
what hour your Lord will comer (Matt. xxiv. 42.) 

t INSTRUCTION FOR THE SICK. 

L When you are sick, my dear Christian, let it 
be your first care to lift your mind to God, who sends 
you this sickness as a trial. Say in your heart, with 
the patient Job : " The hand of the Lord hath touched 
me." (xix. 21.). • Receive this sickness from God, 
your heavenly Father, as a special favor, as Jesus 
Christ received the bitter cup of suffering from the 
hand of his heavenly Father. Say, with your divine 
Saviour : Xot mine, heavenly Father, but thy will 



400 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



be done ! In this way, unite your will with the di- 
vine will, and pray to God for the grace of patience 
in your suffering. 

2. Be as careful to provide for your soul's salva- 
tion, as if you were sure this sickness would be your 
last. Seek to reconcile yourself to God in good time, 
by a sincere and contrite confession, and if your 
Father-confessor approves it, by a general confession. 
Do not put off this confession from one day to an- 
other, until your sickness is at such a height as to 
make confession very difficult, or wholly impossible. 
Receive the holy Communion as the best medicine 
for your soul and body, and as a support upon your 
way to eternity. Welcome your Saviour with in- 
terior love, as the best friend and helper of your soul. 
When you receive extreme unction, do not be terri- 
fied, as if you must, therefore, instantly die ; but let 
it rather be to you a consolation to receive this 
holy sacrament, which purifies the soul from sin, 
strengthens it for the last conflict with temptations, 
and is able even to procure for you health of body, 
when the good of the soul requires it. The Council 
of Trent, itself, assures us (Sess. 22, Cap. 2), that 
health of body is sometimes obtained through this 
holy sacrament, when that health is profitable to the 
soul's salvation. It would be a great imprudence if 
you should delay to receive in season a sacrament so 
important and advantageous for body and soul. 

3. When you have set in order the affairs of your 
conscience, then arrange your temporal affairs. Make 
your will with all the formalities which the law re-j 
quires, or, in some other way, bring all your affairs 
into order, by a clear, plain and careful arrangement. 
Do not postpone this business so long, that at the 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 



401 



very end of your life, when you should have no care 
but for your soul, the precious moments will be occu- 
pied with temporal affairs. Remember death may 
come suddenly, and that you will have to answer be- 
fore the judgment of Jesus Christ, if through your 
carelessness any one has to suffer injustice. How 
many disorders, enmities, and lawsuits, have arisen 
from this neglect of the sick to make their last testa- 
ment ! If you have property belonging to another, 
restore it ; if you have debts, pay them. Woe be to 
you, if your soul should remain burdened with any 
ill-gotten possessions, or if you enter into eternity 
with the consciousness that you have neglected to 
discharge your honest debts ! Do not forget, also, in 
your last will, to provide for your own soul, by pious 
legacies, and benevolent bequests, for your children 
and other heirs will perhaps have little care for your 
soul's repose, when they have entered upon the enjoy- 
ment of your goods. 

4. Do not neglect to make use of a physician, and 
of his remedies ; this is the will of God, who, for your 
sake, has given to medicine its power. But place 
your whole confidence m God, for he it is who must 
enlighten the physician, and give efficacy to his 
remedies. If these remedies do not benefit you, do 
not murmur, nor complain about the physician and 
his practice. Do not make the task of your attend- 
ants, already difficult enough, more difficult by your 
impatience, but submit yourself entirely to the will of 
God, without whose permission not a hair of your 
head can fall. 

5. Do not spend the time of your sickness in un- 
profitable conversation, or in excessive care of your 
bodily health, but remember that on the good use 

34* 



402 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 

you make of this time of suffering, your eternal salva- 
tion is perhaps depending. At certain times of the 
day you can repeat certain prayers and devotional 
exercises, such as the Rosary, or the Penitential 
Psalms, or a Litany. Read also some spiritual book 
or have one read to you, especially one that treats of 
the sufferings of Jesus Christ, or you may cheer your 
heart with pious and holy conversation. If you can- 
not exert yourself to pray and read much, elevate your 
mind to God by holy sighs and pious aspirations. 
Take the crucifix in your hand, press it often to your 
heart and to your lips, and say to yourself: "0 my 
Jesus ! I unite my sufferings with thy sufferings ! I 
will bear them willingly in expiation of my sins." 

Place opposite to your bed an image of the most 
blessed Virgin, and put great confidence in her. 
Turn to her as a beloved mother who will not leave 
you in the time of trouble. Honor also the angels 
> and saints of God, especially those for whom you feel 
a peculiar devotion. 

If your sickness is of long continuance, ask your 
Father-confessor to visit you sometimes, and admin- 
ister from time to time the holy Communion for the 
comfort and support of your soul. 

6. Besides the sufferings of Christ, which ought to 
be the principal subject of your meditations, meditate 
in your sickness also on the sufferings of the Saints 
and their patience. With what patience did not holy 
Job suffer, striking image as he was of the Man of 
Sorrows ! How resigned was the aged Tobias in his 
blindness ! and St. Francis Xavier, who cried out in 
his sufferings : " Still more, my Lord !" and St. 
Theresa, who was accustomed to say : " Either let 
me suffer or let me die !" The holy Virgin Ludwina 




MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 403 



suffered for eight and thirty years so distressing an 
illness, that her whole body was like one sore, and yet 
she preserved throughout the greatest patience and 
calmness of soul. You will find in the lives of the 
Saints examples like these without number. 

XL INSTRUCTION FOR THE DYING. 

1. When your sickness increasing warns you that 
death is drawing near, do not be discouraged and 
desponding, but resign yourself to quit this world, 
which was never yours as a permanent abode, and 
enter your heavenly home. " It is appointed for men 
once to die." (Hebr. ix. 27.) We are as strangers 
here, and it must not give us pain to go to our Fa- 
ther in heaven and our divine Saviour. By death 
you will be freed from all your misery, and from the 
risk of sinning any more. Death is the entrance to 
heaven. Death is the best satisfaction for your sins, 
if you receive it with submission to the will of God. 
Death makes you more like your divine Saviour ; for 
J esus died also, and he died for you. 

2. If you have still any thing upon your conscience 
that troubles or oppresses you, do not conceal it, but 
send for your Confessor and discover to him your 
whole heart in a penitent confession, that afterwards 
no distressing thoughts may disturb your peace of 
conscience. 

3. If you have an enemy, seek to be reconciled to 
him ; banish every unkind thought from your heart. 
Were not the last words of your divine Saviour a 
prayer for his enemies ? If you have a wife and chil- 
dren, and it is a burden on your heart to leave them, 
cheer yourself with the thought, that God will take 



404 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



care of them, and that you can pray for them still 
before His throne, and better than here on earth. 

4. When you have set in order the affairs of your 
conscience and your temporal concerns, do not tor- 
ment yourself too much with the thought how it will 
be with you after death, and whether you will be 
saved. Commit yourself wholly to the infinite and 
tender mercy of God, and ask for nothing else but 
that God may be glorified in you, and that his holy 
will may be fulfilled. This is the best way to die 
piously and to secure your eternal salvation ; for it is 
impossible for a soul to be lost that submits itself en- 
tirely to God. Say often with your suffering and 
deserted Saviour on the cross : " Father ! into thy 
hands I commend my spirit? 

5. Resist with courage and firmness all the assaults 
and temptations of hell. If a temptation arises con- 
cerning your faith, do not examine it, enter into no 
controversy with the enemy of your soul, but say : 
I believe what the Catholic Church believes, and in 
this faith will I die ! If you are assailed by dis- 
couraging thoughts which tempt you to distrust in 
the goodness of God, either because of the number 
of your sins, or because you have so little time to do 
penance ; or that it seems to you too difficult a thing 
to gain heaven because the way is narrow and the 
gate is strait, the number of the elect small and your 
good works very few ; or that the coldness of your 
heart and your ingratitude to God make you un- 
worthy of pardon, chase away promptly all these 
useless and discouraging fears. Think rather of the 
unbounded love and mercy of God and the infinite 
merits of Jesus Christ ; surrender yourself with the 
greatest peace and serenity of mind to the divine 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 405 



will, and say in your heart : Father in Heaven ! into 
thy hands I wholly commit myself; my life, my 
death, my soul, my salvation, my temporal and my 
eternal life ! Do with me what thou wilt ; living 
and dying I am thine ! 

6. Occupy yourself chiefly with acts of faith, 
hope, and charity ; of contrition for the sins of your 
whole life, and of resignation to the will of God. I 
do not say this only by way of good advice. It is 
a duty to make these acts often during life, and 
there is a special obligation to make them at the ap- 
proach of death. If it is not too fatiguing, get some 
one to read to you the history of the passion of 
Jesus Christ, or some other pious subject. Take 
often the crucifix in your hand and kiss it with 
fervor, and take care to have attached to it the ple- 
nary indulgence for the hour of death. Turn your 
eyes often to the image of the blessed Virgin Mary, 
and commend yourself to her powerful protection. 
Let the names of Jesus and Mary be always upon 
your lips until the last moment, and in that solemn 
moment also, let the blessed candle be burning by 
your side, or if possible take it even in your own 
hand, as a testimony that you have kept until the 
end the holy faith of your baptism. 

Ill INSTRUCTION FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND 
ON THE SICK AND DYING. 

1. Of all the works of Christian charity to our 
neighbor, none is so meritorious and so pleasing to 
j God as when we assist him in his sickness, and try 
I to procure for him a happy death. Many a soul 
has been saved by this office, of Christian love, 



406 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



which would otherwise have been eternally lost. 
Jesus Christ promises the kingdom of heaven to 
those who visit and assist his sick brethren. At the 
day of general judgment, he will say to them: 
" Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the king- 
dom prepared for you from the foundation of the 
world ; for I was sick and you visited me" (St. 
Matt, xxv.) 

St. Philip Neri calls the sick-chamber the spirit- 
ual gold-mine, where we can obtain infinite treasures 
of merit for heaven. For this reason, the family of 
the sick person, and the neighbors too, should 
always be very ready to give their help, not only to 
take care of him, and to watch with him, but also 
to console him, and if need be to counsel him for 
the good of his soul. "Be not slow to visit the sick, 
for by these things thou shalt be confirmed in love" 
(Eccli. vii. 39.) 

2. Let no unprofitable, foolish, and worldly con- 
versation take place by the bedside of the dying. 
For they have need to be instructed, strengthened, 
and consoled for their journey into eternity. There- 
fore, all those visitors should be excluded who only 
come out of curiosity, and all those who by their 
noise and idle chattering, disturb and distract the 
mind of the sick person. Let only those persons be 
present whose attentions are necessary, and from 
time to time let them suggest to the dying person 
some pious reflection, some short prayer, or holy as- 
piration. Other friends who happen to be present 
should repeat the Litany, and other prayers for the 
agonizing, or the Rosary, in a room adjoining, or at 
a little distance away from the dying person. 

3. All those should be carefully excluded from 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 407 



the sick-chaniber whose presence might be an occa- 
sion of new temptations to the dying, or is calculated 
to disturb his peace of mind, as, for instance, those 
persons with whom in his lifetime he has lived in 
unlawful, or at least suspicious intercourse, and those 
who have been the cause of any considerable mis- 
fortune to him, or done him great injuries ; and also 
those relations to whom he is the most strongly at- 
tached, especially when they are too little discreet, 
because by their immoderate grief they may disturb 
his peace of mind. 

4. Ask the dying man if he has still any thing 
remaining upon his conscience, and if he says yes, 
let the priest be sent for without delay, who may 
satisfy his conscience. When he enters upon his 
last agony, the bystanders ought to recite the prayers 
for the agonizing, which are at the end of this little 
manual (see page 431), and, if convenient, let the 
priest be called again. 

5. It is necessary to make use of those prayers 
and pious exercises which are adapted to the condi- 
tion of the sick. It is particularly important to per- 
suade him to make acts of faith, hope, charity, con- 
trition, of resignation to the will of God, and of 
desire for Heaven. The prayers and reading must 
not be in too loud a voice, or it will distress the sick 
person. Do not read too rapidly, or too much at 
once, but slowly, and now and then pause awhile, 
that he may have time to consider what he has 
heard. Remind him that it is enough if he follows 
with his heart what you read to him, and that it is 
not necessary for him to pray with his lips. 

6. Those who are occupied in the sick-room have 
the opportunity to recall to his mind many pious 



408 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



thoughts ; as, for instance, when they are arranging 
the bed, they can say to him : You have a soft bed 
to rest on ; but our Saviour had nowhere to lay his 
head. When he takes food or drink, or any other 
refreshment, they may say to him : 0, how good is 
our dear God, who refreshes us with food and drink ; 
Jesus, the Son of God, for love of us, had no other 
refreshment than gall and vinegar. When the sick 
man turns from one side to the other, and can find 
no rest, say to him : In God alone is true rest and 
refreshment to be found. In this world we can 
never find rest, until we submit ourselves to the 
most holy will of God. In this way, the sick man 
may be kept always united with God, and resigned 
to his will. 

7. Encourage the dying person to look often upon 
the Crucifix, and kiss it. Let an image, too, of the 
blessed Virgin Mary be placed before his eyes, that 
he may have recourse to her. See that all things of 
a worldly character be taken out of the room, such 
as firearms, profane pictures, and gay articles of 
dress, that his thoughts may not be attracted by 
them. Let the blessed candle be ready; often 
sprinkle his room and his bed with holy water, and 
when he comes to his last agony, whisper distinctly 
and slowly in his ear the last " Sighs of the Dying" 
(see page 430), but especially repeat to him over 
and over again, the most holy names of Jesus and 
Mary. 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 409 



IV. A FEW REMEDIES AGAINST THE VARIOUS 
TEMPTATIONS OF THE DYING. 

The most holy. names of Jesus and Mary are. 
beyond all doubt, their most powerful weapons 
against temptations of every kind ; and then, also, 
the holy sign of the Cross. It is, nevertheless, very 
useful to know some special remedies against each 
kind of temptation. 

h Temptations against Faith. — If you would 
triumph in faith, and banish all doubts, you must 
not indulge in any subtle investigations, or in any 
discussions concerning your faith; but firmly de- 
clare, with the heart and the lips : " I believe what 
the holy Roman Catholic Church believes !" Thank 
God that he has called you to this true faith, and 
say : " I will live and die as a child of the Catholic 
Church !" Then, in order to turn your mind away 
from the temptation, occupy yourself with other 
pious acts, such as the acts of Hope and of Charity. 
Do not enter into any arguments with the tempta- 
tion, even if bright light and clear reasons should 
present themselves ; for Satan often disguises himself 
like an angel of light. Think of the declaration of 
Jesus Christ: "Blessed are they that have not seen, 
and have believed." (St. John, xx. 29.) 

2. Temptations against Hope. — This temptation 
is one of the strongest and most dangerous. The 
sick man is often tormented by the number of his 
past sins, and with groundless fears that his confes- 
sions were bad and insufficient ; he is too much ter- 
rified by the thought of judgment, and of hell, al- 
though he has done his best to prepai e against both. 
35 



410 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



In order to triumph over this temptation, you must 
often think of the unbounded and infinite compas- 
sion of God. For St. Paul (2 Cor. i. 3) calls God 
" the Father of mercies.'''' God desires our salvation 
more than we do ourselves. He seeks for us as a 
good shepherd looks for his lost sheep ; he loves us 
more than a tender mother her beloved babe. "As 
I live" saith the Lord God, " I desire not the death 
of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his 
way and live. If the wicked do penance, I will not 
remember all his iniquities which he hath done' 7 
(Ezech. xxxiii. 11, xviii. 21.) Only one sincere sigh 
of contrition from the heart of the sinner can obtain 
pardon for the greatest crimes, if the sinner has the 
serious will to amend, and to confess his sins as well 
as he is able. The publican mentioned in the Holy 
Gospel had scarcely spoken from a contrite heart 
these words, " Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner," 
than he was justified before God. The prodigal son 
had no sooner fallen at the feet of his father, than he 
embraced him, and forgave him his sins. And thus 
our heavenly Father deals with us when we return 
truly penitent to him. 

One of the strongest motives of confidence in the 
mercy of God is the passion of Jesus Christ. He 
who has a good will need not be afraid of eternal 
condemnation, since Jesus has given himself up to 
the death of the cross to save us from eternal death. 
Our hope is still further strengthened by the promise 
of Jesus Chiist, that he will give us every thing we 
ask of him. "Amen, amen / J say to you" said he, 
" if you ask the Father any thing in my name y he 
will give it you" (St. John, xiv. 23.) This prom- 
ise embraces sinners, as well as others; for Jesus 



MANUAL FOE THE SICK, ETC. 411 



says, in another place, "Every one that asketh, re- 
ceiveth" (St. Matt. vii. 8.) Whoever prays sin- 
cerely for his soul's salvation, will certainly receive 
from God those graces and means which are neces- 
sary for his soul's salvation. " The Lord is good to 
the soul that seeketh him! 1 (Lam. iii. 25.) " 0, 
how good and sweet is thy Spirit, Lord, in all 
things!" (Wisd. xii. 1.) 

Another most powerful motive to trust in the 
mercy of God is the intercession of Mary the divine 
Mother, and that of the saints and angels, whose 
prayers are so efficacious on our behalf. The holy 
Church calls Mary the refuge of sinners, our life and 
our Hope. Mary receives all who apply to her, even 
the most wicked and forsaken ; no one ever had re- 
course to her without being heard. The other saints 
of God pray too before the throne of God for our 
salvation, and fly to our help in our last conflict. 
Invoke in a particular manner, the good St. Joseph, 
patron of a happy death, the holy archangel Michael, 
your guardian angel, and those saints whom you have 
honored most in time of death. 

3. Temptations to impatience. When you are 
tempted to repine on account of the long contin- 
uance of your sickness, the greatness of your suffer- 
ings, &c, you should consider what the martyrs 
suffered for Jesus Christ, how they were burned, 
flayed alive, and crucified. Especially reflect on what 
the innocent Lamb of God has suffered for the love 
of us. Remember too that by your impatience you 
do not diminish your pains, and that if you are im- 
patient under your sufferings, you will have to suf- 
fer both in this life and the next. But when you 
suffer with patience, you not only, make your present 



412 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



pains lighter, but you diminish the pains which await 
you in purgatory, and acquire also much greater 
merit for heaven. " Your sorrow shall be turned 
into joy" said Jesus to his Apostles. (S. John, xvi.) 
Remember that the cross is the sign of our predes- 
tination. God purifies his friends in this life by suf- 
ferings and crosses. Think only, with what suffer- 
ings and tedious maladies God has afflicted the saints. 
St. Clara passed eight-and-twenty years in suffer- 
ing. St. Ludwina was sick for thirty-eight years, 
and was afflicted with indescribable pains. Courage ! 
my dear Christian, and exclaim with the holy Apos- 
tle Paul, " The sufferings of this present time are not 
worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that 
shall be revealed in us" (Rom. viii. 18.) Finally, 
pray often to God for patience ; for after all, it is a 
grace from God. Submit to the will of God, even 
when it seems to you that your physician does not treat 
you skilfully, or that your attendants do not serve you 
faithfully. Receive this too in the spirit of penance, 
for so you will make yourself very dear to God. 

4. " Death comes too early." This is a tempta- 
tion which presents itself sometimes to the minds of 
the sick, when death comes to call them in the bloom 
of their youth, or the vigor of their years. Let such 
reflect that the present life is full of dangers, troubles, 
and anxieties ; that new occasions of sin are ever 
waiting for us, and that the longer we live the 
greater is the danger of being eternally lost. This 
is the reason why the saints desired death so ear- 
nestly. St. Theresa rejoiced whenever she heard the 
clock strike, because, she said, another hour of dan- 
ger has gone by in which I might have lost my God. 
How often, while still in the flower of life, the holy 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 413 

Martyrs have gone lightly and joyfully to meet a 
cruel death ! Hear what the Holy Spirit says : 
" Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they 
rest from their labors? (Apoc. xiv. 13.) We are 
here as pilgrims in a vale of tears, and have no 
permanent dwelling. Thank God that he did not let 
you die in mortal sin, and that he has given you the 
opportunity to confess your sins and to receive the 
last sacraments. You would wish, perhaps, to live 
longer in order to do more penance ? O be assured 
there is no penance more pleasing to God than when 
you accept of death from his hand with a heart full 
of penitence and resignation. 

5. Family affections. Some sick persons are 
troubled before death, because they must leave hus- 
band, wife, children, or relations. They should re- 
member that God is the best of Fathers, and is best 
able to provide for those who are left behind. Think 
rather of saving your soul, for when you are in 
heaven you can do far more for those dear friends 
you leave behind, by one prayer before the throne of 
God, than if you remained with them. There in 
heaven you will find better friends than here on 
earth : there you will find Jesus, your divine Saviour, 
Mary, your tender mother, and all the blessed angels 
and saints of God. Are those you leave behind 
poor — God, who feeds the birds of the air, will he 
not provide for them what they need ? 

6. Temptations of hatred and enmity. If any one 
is assailed by these temptations, let him remember 
the commandment of Jesus Christ : " Love your 
enemies /" and that he has no hope of pardon from 
God who does not pardon his enemy. " Forgive and 
you shall be forgiven? (St. Luke, vi. 37.) Has your 

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414 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



enemy injured you, then remember how often you 
have offended God. Contemplate the example of 
the saints. St. James before his death embraced his 
accusers, St. Stephen prayed for his murderers, and 
St. Ambrose nourished for a long time the traitor 
who had betrayed him. Call to mind, especially, the 
example of Jesus Christ, who, while hanging on the 
cross, prayed earnestly to his heavenly Father for his 
persecutors and calumniators. 

V. VARIOUS MOTIVES AND ACTS, PROPER TO 
SUGGEST TO THE SICK AND DYING. 

1. Motives and Acts of Confidence. 

Jesus Christ has suffered death for us, that he 
might obtain the pardon of our sins. " He that 
spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up 
for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us 
all things" (Rom. viii. 32.) 

The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom 
shall I fear ? (Ps. 26.) 

Into thy hands I commend my spirit ; thou hast 
redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. 

We beseech thee, therefore, help thy servants, 
whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious 
blood. 

In thee, O Lord, have I hoped ; let me never be 
confounded. 

O, good Jesus ! hide me in thy wounds. Thy 
wounds are my merits. (St. Bernard.) 

O my Jesus ! thou wilt not refuse me pardon, for 
thou hast not refused me thy life and thy blood 1 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 



415 



Passion of Jesus ! thou art my hope. Merits 
of Jesus ! ye are my hope. Wounds of Jesus ! 
ye are my hope. Death of Jesus ! thou art my 
hope. 

my Mother, Mary ! pity me, and save me. Yes ! 
thou wilt save me, for art thou not our Hope ? 

Holy Mary, Mother of God ! pray for me, a 
sinner. Under thy mantle we take refuge, holy 
Mother of God. 

2. Motives and Acts of Contrition. 

St. Augustin says that each one is bound to de- 
plore his sins until the last breath of life. 

Enter not into judgment with thy servant, Lord. 
(Ps. 142.) O Jesus, my judge, spare me before thou 
comest to judge me ! 

A contrite and humbled heart, God, thou wilt 
not despise. My God, would that I had never of- 
fended thee ! 

Father ! Iam not worthy to be called thy son. I 
have abandoned thee ; I have despised thy grace ; I 
have lost thee wilfully. With my whole heart I re- 
pent. my God, for the love of Jesus Christ and 
his precious blood, spare me ! 

O cursed sins, which have robbed me of my God ! 
I detest them ; I abhor them. 

O my God ! what evil hast thou done to me, that 
I should so offend thee? For the love of Jesus 
Christ thy Son, have mercy on me. 

ISTever again, Lord, so long as I live, will I offend 
thee ; whether my life be short or long, I am deter- 
mined to love thee hereafter. 

In satisfaction for all my offences against thee, I 



i 



416 



PLAIN" INSTRUCTIONS. 



offer thee my death, and all the pains which until 
death I have still to suffer. 

Lord, it is just that thou shouldst punish me, 
but only in this life, I beseech thee, not in the 
other. 

Mary ! obtain for me a true sorrow for my 
sins, and the pardon of them, and then the grace of 
perseverance. 

3. Motives and Acts of Love to God. 

O my God, thou art infinitely good, and I love 
thee above all things. I love thee more than my- 
self. I love thee with my whole heart. My God I 
I am not worthy to say I love thee, because I have 
so much offended thee ; but, for the love of Jesus, 
make me worthy. 

O would that the whole world might love thee ! 

sweet Jesus, I desire to suffer and die for thee, 
who hast deigned to suffer and die for me. 

Lord, chastise me as thou wilt, only let me not 
cease to love thee ! my God, save me ; my sal- 
vation is to love thee. 

1 desire Paradise, that there, my dearest Lord, for 
all eternity, I may love thee with all my strength. 

my God, cast me not into hell, as I deserve ! 
There I should only be able to hate thee, but I can- 
not bear to think of hating thee. What evil hast 
thou done to me, Lord, that I should hate thee ? 
0, no ! only make me love thee, and then do with 
me what thou wilt. 

1 wish to suffer according to thy will : I wish to 
die that I may do thy will. 

Bind me to thee, my Jesus, and never permit 
me to be separated from thee. 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 417 



my God, grant that before I die, I may be all 
thine own ! 

When will the time come, that I shall be able to 
say, My God, I cannot lose thee any more ? 

my God, I wish to love thee as much as thou 
deservest. 

Mary ! draw me entirely to God ! 

O my Mother, I love thee dearly, and I wish to 
come to heaven, that I may love thee there forever. 

4. Motives and Acts of Conformity to the 
Will of God. 

All our happiness and our life consists in this, that 
we should be conformed to the will of God, accord- 
ing to those words of the Psalmist : " Life is in his 
will? (Ps. 29.) God indeed wills the things which 
are for our best good. When our Lord appeared to 
St. Gertrude, offering her the choice of life and 
death, she answered : " Lord, what thou wilt, I 
will also? And in the same way, when Jesus offer- 
ed once to St. Catharine of Sienna two crowns, one 
of jewels and one of thorns, she answered : " I choose 
the one which pleases thee? Well, then, my dear 
Christian, what do you say ? If God calls thee to 
another life, are you content ? You are ? Say then 
always : 

Lord, here I am ; do with me what thou wilt. 
Thy will be always done. Thy will is my will. 
Let me suffer what thou wilt ! Let me die when 
thou wilt. 

Into thy hands I commend my soul and body, my 
life and death. 

1 will bless the Lord at all times. Comfort me, 



418 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



or afflict me, Lord, still I love thee ; always will I 
love thee. 

my God, I unite my death with the death of 
Jesus, and so offer it to thee. 

will of God, thou art my love. O good pleas- 
ure of my God, as a holocaust I offer myself up en- 
tirely to thee. 



5. Acts of Desire for Paradise. 




The present life is a prison of pains, in which we 
cannot see God. For this reason David says well : 
" Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise 
thy name." (Ps. 141.) And St. Augustin exclaims : 
a Now, Lord, let me die, that I may see thee /" St. 
Jerome calls death his sister, saying : " Open to me, 
my sister :" And he spoke well, for is it not 
death that opens for us the gates of Paradise ? Hear, 
also, how sweetly the Apostle persuades us to turn 
our desires upwards to heaven : " Eye hath not seen, 
nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart 
of man, ivhat things God hath prepared for tJiem 
that love him" (1 Cor. ii. 9. ) 

When shall I come and appear before the face of 
God? (Ps. 41.) When will the time come, O my 
God, that I shall behold thy infinite beauty, and see 
thee face to face ? 

In heaven, I shall love thee always: thou wilt 
love me always * f yes, there we shall love each other 
for all eternity. O my God, my love, my all ! 

O my Jesus, when shall I kiss those sacred wounds, 
which bled for me ? 

Mary ! when shall I see myself at the feet of 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 419 



that Mother, who has loved me and assisted me so 
much ? Gome then, 

" Come then, our advocate, 
0, turn on us those pitying eyes of thine ; 

And, our long exile past, 

Show us at last 
Jesus, of thy pure womb the fruit divine ; 

O Virgin Mary, Mother blest ! 

O sweetest, gentlest, holiest I" 

6. Affections which may be suggested to the 
Sick, when kissing the Crucifix. 

Kiss, my dear brother (or sister), those feet which 
came to seek thee out, when thou wast a lost sheep, 
• — those feet which have walked on many a weary 
journey for poor sinners. 

dearest Redeemer! I embrace thy feet like 
Mary Magdalen. O, like her, let me hear thee say 
that I am pardoned ! 

my God, spare me for the love of Jesus Christ ! 
0, teach me how to die well ! 

Eternal Father, thou hast given up thy dear Son 
for me, so I give myself away to thee. 

Willingly will I die for thee, O my Jesus, for thou 
didst die for me. 

Saviour ! thou didst seek for me when I was a 
wanderer ; wilt thou abandon me now, when I seek 
i for thee ? 

O dearest Jesus ! never let me be separated from 
thee. 

Who shall separate me from the love of Christ ? 
(Rom. 8.) 



420 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



O Lord Jesus, by that bitter agony of thy most 
holy soul, when it left thy blessed body, have mercy 
on my sinful soul when it shall quit this body of 
mine. 

my Jesus, thou hast died for love of me ; so 
will I die for love of thee. 



DAILY PEAYEES FOE THE SICK. 



MORNING PRAYER. . 

ALMIGHTY and eternal God! I thank 
thee with my whole heart that thou 
hast preserved me during this night. I re- 
commend myself again to-day to thy fatherly 
protection ; I submit myself entirely to thy 
divine will, whether I am to live or die. 

I offer to thee all the weakness, pain, and 
suffering that I am to endure this day. For 
love of thee, O my God, I will suffer all 
things. I unite my sufferings with the suf- 
ferings and death of Jesus Christ. 

Whenever this day I sigh, or move my 
eyes, or speak, or draw breath, or eat, or 
drink, may every action serve, O my dearest 
Lord, to adore thee ; to praise thee ; to bless 
thee ; to express my love to thee. O mer- 
ciful God, whenever overpowered by weak- 
ness, or my great sufferings, I cannot think 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 421 

of offering every thing to thee ; accept niy 
good will and this present intention which I 
make, in place of the deed. 

Continue, O Almighty God, my life this 
day, and may thy holy name be praised. 
But if it should please thee to take me to- 
day away from this world, may thy holy will 
be done. 

O Mary ! health of the sick, next to God 
my only refuge, I implore thee to be my 
intercessor with thy dear Son, that through 
thy all-powerful prayers I may obtain health 
of body, or a happy death. Protect me from 
the enemy of my salvation ; give me the 
grace, as a true child of thy love, to behold 
thee in heaven. O dearest Mother ! I com- 
mend to thee the care of my body and of my 
soul, under thy protection. O powerful Vir- 
gin, and tender Mother, I confidently hope 
to obtain salvation. 

O my holy guardian Angel, I thank thee 
for having so carefully watched over me this 
night. I pray thee and all the other holy 
angels to watch over me this day and to the 
end of my life. 

And you also, blessed Saints of God, espe- 
cially you, my Patron Saint! help me by 
your intercession, this day, and leave me not, 
if that moment should arrive on which my 
eternity is depending. Pray to the divine 
Judge for me, that I may be a child of elec- 
tion. Amen. 

36 



422 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 




EVENING PRAYER. 

OMOST Holy Trinity, God the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost, may endless 
thanks be given thee for all the blessings 
and the sufferings which thou hast sent upon 
me this day. If I have not borne these my 
sufferings with the patience I ought, I humbly 
implore thy pardon. 

I commit myself to thy divine protection 
this night. I am sincerely sorry for my sins 
because I have offended Thee, my highest 

food, whom I love above all things. O that 
had never offended thee ! I seriously in- 
tend to amend my life. 

I offer to thee, O heavenly Father, for my 
sins, the infinite merit of thy divine Son Je- 
sus Christ. Let not the value of his suffer- 
ings and death be lost to me ! 

Jesus ! for thee I sleep ; Jesus ! for thee I 
wake ; Jesus ! for thee I live ; Jesus ! for 
thee I die ; Jesus ! living or dying, I am 
thine! Amen. 



PIOUS ASPIRATIONS FOR THE SICK. 

(The sick cannot ordinarily make long prayers, but 
they can send up their sighs to God, and God receives 
these sighs as prayers.) 

Behold, my God, in what misery I lie upon my 
bed, and how much I am suffering for thy sake. 
My body is full of pain and my soul full of sorrow, 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 423 



but my spirit is prepared to suffer according to thy 
divine pleasure. 

I offer to thee, Jesus, my sorrows, in honor of the 
sorrows which thou hast suffered for me upon the cross. 

I hide all my sufferings in thy five holy wounds, 
and unite them to thy bitter sufferings. 

As thou, Jesus ! didst offer up all thy sorrows 
and pains to thy heavenly Father, so also I offer up 
all my sufferings to my heavenly Father. 

As thou, Jesus ! didst bear all thy sufferings 
with the greatest patience, I will also bear my sick- 
ness with the greatest patience. 

Most blessed Virgin and Mother of God, Mary ! 
allay my sufferings this night. Be my protectress in 
the hour of trial, be my comforter, be my powerful 
intercessor with Jesus Christ, thy divine Son. 

Holy Guardian Angels, and all ye Saints of God, 
protect me this night, and preserve me from all evil. 

Merciful God ! have compassion on the poor souls 
in purgatory. Give them eternal rest, and let eter- 
nal light shine upon them. Lord, may they rest 
in peace ! Amen. 

As thou, O Jesus ! didst give thanks to thy 
heavenly Father for the sufferings inflicted upon thee, 
I too would give thanks to my heavenly Father for 
the sickness sent upon me. 

As thou, Jesus ! didst accept thy sufferings as 
an atonement for the sins of the whole world, so will 
I accept my sufferings for my numberless sins. 

heavenly Father, may my sufferings be accepted 
by thee, and serve for thy greater glory. 

Jesus Christ, unite my sufferings with thy cruel 
sufferings, and present them thus to thy heavenly 
Father, that they may be acceptable in his sight. 



424 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



Holy Ghost, grant me thy divine grace, that I 

may bear this sickness with patience. 

O Mother of God, thou who didst have so great 
compassion for thy crucified Son, have compassion 
upon me also, thy poor child. 

O my holy guardian Angel, w r atch over me by day 
and by night, and leave me not in my necessities. 

ye Saints of God, especially you my holy Patron 
Saint ! pray for me, that the good God may be 
merciful and gracious unto me. 



THE SACRAMENTS OF THE SICK. 



When the Piiest has been called to give com- 
munion to a sick person, or to administer the last 
sacraments to the dying, care must be taken to have 
every thing rightly prepared in the sick-chamber. 
In the first place, see that the room be clean, and 
that every thing offensive be taken out of the way ; 
and let not any clothing be lying scattered about, 
but neatly folded up, or put away. The sick person 
should be decently covered, and the bedclothes ar- 
ranged in good order. Prepare, also, in the same 
room, a table neatly covered with a white linen cloth, 
in order to receive upon it the Holy Eucharist. On 
the table should be placed two candles and a crucifix, 
and a glass of pure water from the spring or well, and 
if there is any holy water in the house, place it near 
by, or at the door of the chamber. A clean white 
napkin should also be furnished, to serve as a com- 
munion-cloth for the sick. 



MANUAL FOE THE SICK, ETC. 4:25 



When the Priest arrives, if you perceive that he 
has with hirn the Blessed Sacrament, kneel down, 
and do not begin immediately to talk in a noisy and 
familiar manner, but let one show the way to the 
sick-room, while the rest follow their Lord in silence 
and adoration. If, however, it is necessary to say 
any thing, speak in a low and reverential manner. 
After the communion, do not remain to distract the 
sick person by your conversation, or by walking about 
the room, but leave him alone to make his thanks- 
giving in quiet. Sometimes, however, especially 
when he is very feeble, or unable to read, it is better 
for some one to be with him, both before and after 
communion, and read for him slowly and distinctly 
the necessary prayers. 



PRAYERS BEFORE RECEIVING THE HOLY 
VIATICUM, OR LAST COMMUNION. 

O INFINITELY merciful Jesus ! a great 
journey is before me, from this world to 
eternity. May thy most holy will be done, 
my heart is ready. Tes, let me depart from 
this world, for so it pleases thee. 

But what can I do without thee, thou 
who art the Way, the Truth, and the Life ! 
Without thee, I should perish of hunger and 
thirst on the way. 

Come then, O merciful Jesus, before I die. 
Come, and delay not ; strengthen me through 
the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar; 
strengthen me with thy most holy flesh and 
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426 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



blood, that by the power of this strong bread 
of angels I may attain to the view of thy di- 
vine countenance. 

As the hart panteth after the fresh foun- 
tains of water, so my soul longs for thee, O 
my God, thou living fountain of all good. O, 
when shall I come and appear before thy 
face ? When shall my feet stand in thy de- 
lightful tabernacles, in the house of my Lord ? 

Why art thou sorrowful, O my soul, and 
why art thou disquieted? Hope in God. 
See ! thy Beloved comes. He will come ; he 
will strengthen thee ; he will take thee from 
the desert of this life to himself in thy heav- 
enly home. 

Ah, come then, my Saviour ! come, be- 
loved Jesus, come, and tarry not too long ! I 
desire to enjoy thee as the true paschal Lamb, 
before I depart and die. 

Come, O sweetest Jesus, come and enter 
my heart, unite thyself to me, remain with 
me, until I have overcome every thing, and 
have conquered death. 

Come, O Jesus, come meet me in this 
supper, and lead me to the heavenly banquet 
in thy Father's house ! Prepare for me a 
dwelling there, as thou hast promised, that I 
may be forever with thee, and rejoice with 
thee forever ! Amen. 



23* 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 427 



PRAYERS AFTER THE HOLY VIATICUM. 

Remain for some time silent, in quiet and sweet 
union with your beloved Saviour. Excite in your 
heart a lively faith in his personal presence. Breathe 
forth many sighs of gratitude and love to him for all 
the temporal and spiritual blessings that he has be- 
stowed on you during your whole life, but especially 
that he has so often fed you with his holy body, and 
has even granted you this last favor, to be your food 
and support on the way to eternity. 

OMT dearest Jesus ! I now am in pos- 
session of every thing to complete hap- 
pily my pilgrimage here on earth, for I 
possess thee, who art the Way, the Truth, and 
the Life. 

Thou art the Way, and wilt guide me safely 
to my heavenly home. Thou art the Truth, 
and wilt illuminate the darkness and the 
shadows of death. Thou art the Life, and art 
leading me to life eternal. For though I 
should walk in the midst of the shadow ol 
death, I fear no evils, for thou art with me, 
my helper and my protector ! 

O, crucified J esus ! Thou who didst insti- 
tute this Holy Sacrament for the memorial of 
thy bitter passion, may the merit of thy 
passion not be lost on me. Thou who for- 
givest sins, purify me from every stain of sin, 
that I may appear entirely pure before thee. 

Living Bread of heaven ! support my weak- 
ness by thy grace, that I may not yield in the 



428 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



last struggle ; that my faith may not waver, 
my hope sink, and my love grow cold. O, 
my most gracious Saviour ! let this holy 
Viaticum be to me a pledge of my eternal 
salvation. 

Now, Lord ! let me, thy servant, depart 
in peace, for mine eyes have seen thee, the 
Saviour of the world, and my heart hath re- 
ceived thee. Bless me, O Jesus ! I will not 
let thee go, until thou hast given me thy holy 
blessing for my journey to Eternity. 

O Jesus! thou art my life, and death is 
my gain. 

O Jesus, my Love, my God, my Desire, 
my all. 

PRAYER OF ST. IGNATIUS AFTER COMMUNION. 

SOUL of Christ, sanctify me ! 
Body of Christ, save me ! 
Blood of Christ, inebriate me ! 
. Water flowing from the side of Christ, cleanse 
me ! 

Passion of Christ, strengthen me ! 
O, good Jesus, hear me ! 
In thy holy wounds conceal me ! 
And let me not be separated from thee ! 
From the wicked enemy defend me ! 
In the hour of my death, call me ! 
And bid me, Lord, to come to thee ! 
That with thy Saints and Angels I may praise 
thee, 

Throughout the ages of eternity ! Amen. 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 429 



PRAYERS BEFORE EXTREME UNCTION. 

"]% TOST merciful Lord, and loving Saviour, 
JAjL Jesus Christ, what a consoling promise 
thou hast attached to the reception of this 
sacrament : "Is any one sick among you, lei 
him bring in the Priests of the Church, and 
let them pray over him, anointing him with 
oil, in the name of the Lord, and the prayer 
of faith shall save the sick man; and the 
Lord will lift him up, and if he be in sin, 
his sins shall be forgiven himP (St. James, 

By thy infinite goodness, O Jesus, through 
which thou hast established this Holy Sacra- 
ment, I beseech thee to purify me from my 
sins, defend me from the enemy, strengthen 
me in temptation, and give me a happy end ; 
or, if it be profitable for my soul's salvation, 
restore me to my former health. This I ask, 
through thy infinite merits, who, with God 
the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and 
reignest one only God forever ! Amen. 

During the anointing of each of the five senses 
of your body, pray in the silence of your heart, thai 
God would pardon the sins which you have com- 
I mitted with each, and offer up for your sins those 
, sufferings which Christ endured in this same sense 
I for your sins. 



430 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



PRAYER AFTER EXTREME UNCTION. 

MOST merciful Jesus, I have now receiv- 
ed this Sacred Unction, which thou 
didst institute for the consolation and benefit 
of the sick. I thank thee for this powerful 
remedy of my soul and my body. Enable 
me to enjoy the full benefits of this Holy 
Sacrament, upon which I place my hope and 
confidence. Amen. 



THE LAST SIGHS OF THE DYING-. 




I die in the Holy Roman Catholic Faith ! 

I believe all the Holy Church believes ! 

O my God, I believe in thee ! 

O my God, I hope in thee ! 

O my God, I love thee above all things ! 

God, make haste to help me ! 

My God, my hope, my all ! 

O Jesus ! into thy hands I commend my spirit. 

O Jesus ! be my Saviour and my deliverer ! 

Jesus ! I wish to die that I may expiate my sins. 

Jesus ! I wish to die because thou hast died for me. 

Jesus ! I wish to die, that I may see thee and love 
thee eternally. 

O Lord Jesus, in thee have I trusted, let me never 
be confounded ! 

O Mary ! show thyself a mother to me. 

O Mary! pray for me now, in the hour of my 
death ! 



MANUAL FOR THE . SICK, ETC. 431 



clement, pious, sweet Virgin Mary ! 

Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! be always in my heart ! 

Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! be always in my thoughts. 

Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! be always on my tongue. 

Jesus! Mary! Joseph! my last thought, my last 
sigh. 

Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! I live for you. 

Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! I die for you. 

Jesus ! I believe in thee. Jesus ! I hope in thee. 

Jesus ! I love thee above all things ! 

Jesus ! be merciful to me a poor sinner ! 

Jesus ! into thy hands I commend my spirit ! 

Jesus ! Jesus ! Jesus ! 

Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! 



THE RECOMMENDATION OF A PARTING 
SOUL. 

{From the Roman Breviary.) 

LORD, have mercy on him (or her.) 
Christ, have mercy upon him. 
Lord, have mercy on him. 
Holy Mary, 

All ye holy Angels and Archangels, 
Holy Abel^ 

All ye Choirs of the Just, 
Holy Abraham, 
St. John Baptist, 
St. Joseph, 

All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, 
St. Peter, 
St. Paul, 



432 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



St. Andrew, 
St John, 

All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, 

All ye holy Disciples of our Lord, 

St. Stephen, 

St. Lawrence, 

All ye holy Martyrs, 

All ye holy Innocents, 

St. Sylvester, 

St. Gregory, 

St. Augustine, 

All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, 
St. Benedict, 
St Francis, 

All ye holy Monks and Hermits, 
St. Mary Magdalen, 
St. Lucy, 

All ye holy Virgins and Widows, 

All ye Men and Women, Saints of God, 

Be merciful unto him, ") 

Be merciful unto him, V Spare Mm (or her), Lord. 
Be merciful unto him, ) 
From thy wrath, 

From the danger of eternal death, 
From an evil death, 
From the pains of hell, 
From all evil, 

From the power of the devil, 

By thy Nativity, 

By thy Cross and Passion, 

By thy Death and Burial, 

By thy glorious Resurrection, 

By thy wonderful Ascension, 

By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 433 



In the Day of Judgment, deliver him (or her), Lord. 

We sinners, beseech thee hear us. 

That thou spare hirn, ive beseech thee hear us. 

Lord, have mercy on him. 

Christ, have mercy on him. 

Lord, have mercy on him. 

PRAYER. 

GO forth, O Christian soul, from this world, in 
the name of God the Father Almighty, who 
created thee ; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son 
of the living God, who suffered for thee; in the 
name of the Holy Ghost, who has sanctified thee ; 
in the name of the Angels and Archangels ; in the 
name of the heavenly Thrones and Dominations ; in 
the name of the Principalities and Powers ; in the 
name of the Cherubim and Seraphim ; in the name 
of the Patriarchs and Prophets ; in the name of the 
holy Apostles and Evangelists ; in the name of the 
holy Martyrs and Confessors ; in the name of the holy 
Monks and Hermits ; in the name of the holy Vir- 
gins and all the Saints of God ; let thy place be this 
day in peace and thy abode in the holy Sion. 
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. JR. Amen. 

OMOST merciful and good God! Thou who, 
by the multitude of thy mercies, dost blot out 
the sins of the penitent and dost remit the punish- 
ment of their past sins ; graciously look upon this 
thy servant (thy handmaid) and hear his (her) sup- 
plication, since he (she) with his (her) whole heart 
confesses and begs thy forgiveness of his (her) sins. 
Renew in him (her), most merciful Father, every 
thing that has been deformed through human frailty, 

37 



434 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



or through the cunning of the devil, and receive this 
member redeemed by the blood of thy Son to the 
unity of the body of the Church. Have compassion, 
Lord, upon his (her) sighs, have compassion on 
his (her) tears, and admit him (her) because he (she) 
has no hope but in thy mercy, to the grace of recon- 
ciliation to thee. R. Amen. 

I COMMEND thee, dear brother (dear sister), to 
Almighty God, and commit thee to the hands of 
thy Creator, that then when thou, by death, hast 
paid the debt of nature, thou mayest return to thy 
Maker, who formed thee from the clay of the earth. 
When thy soul leaves the body, may the bright 
host of augels come to meet thee ; the company of 
the Apostles who are to judge the world, receive 
thee ; the tiiumphant army of Martyrs meet thee ; 
the multitude of Confessors surround thee, with their 
lilies in their hands ; the choir of joyful Virgins wel- 
come thee ; and may the Patriarchs with loving em- 
brace receive thee into their rest. May Jesus ap- 
pear to thee with a mild and radiant face, and may 
he give thee a place among those who are ever near 
him. Mayest thou never know the dreadful dark- 
ness, the crackling flames, and the torments of the 
damned. May the devil, with his evil spirits, de- 
part from thee, trembling and flying into the horrid 
confusion of eternal night, when he sees thee accom- 
panied by the angels. Let God arise and his ene- 
mies be put to flight, and all who hate him flee 
^before his presence ! Let them be driven away as 
smoke ; as wax melts before the fire, so may sinners 
-disappear before his countenance. But may the 
just rejoice and be glad in the presence of God. Let 
all the hosts of hell be confounded and put to shame, 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 435 

and may the servants of Satan place no hindrance 
in thy way. May Christ, who was crucified for 
thee, deliver thee from all torments. May Christ, 
who vouchsafed to die for thee, deliver thee from 
eternal death. May Christ, the Son of the living 
God, conduct thee to the possession of the eternal 
joys of Paradise. May he, the true Shepherd, re- 
ceive thee as his sheep. May he absolve thee from 
all thy sins, and place thee at his right hand among 
the number of his elect. Mayest thou see thy Re- 
deemer face to face, and always in his presence be- 
hold, with happy eyes, the purest truth ! Mayest 
thou, in the company of the blessed, eternally enjoy 
the sweetness of the divine presence. R. Amen. 

PRAYER. 

RECEIVE, O Lord, thy servant (handmaid) into 
the place of salvation, which he (she) hopes to 
obtain through thy mercy. R. Amen. 

Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid) from all dangers of hell, and from all pain and 
tribulation. R. Amen. 

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid) as thou didst deliver Enoch and Elias from 
the common death of the world. R. Amen. 

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid) as thou didst deliver Noe from the flood. R. 
Amen. 

Deliver, Lord, .the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid) as thou didst deliver Abraham from the midst 
of the Chaldeans. R. Amen. 

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver Isaac from the hand of 
Abraham his father. R. Amen. 



436 



PLAIN" INSTRUCTIONS. 



Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver Lot from being de- 
stroyed in the flames of Sodom. R. Amen. 

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver Moses from the hands of 
Pharaoh, king of Egypt. R. Amen. 

Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver Daniel from the lions' 
den. R. Amen. 

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver the three children from 
the fiery furnace, and from the hands of an unmer- 
ciful king. R. Amen. 

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver Susanna from her false 
accusers. R. Amen. 

Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver David from the hand of 
king Saul and Goliath. R. Amen. 

Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy servant (hand- 
maid), as thou didst deliver Peter and Paul out of 
prison. R. Amen. 

And, finally, as thou didst deliver, Lord, the 
blessed virgin and martyr, Thecla, from three most 
cruel torments, so vouchsafe to deliver the soul of 
this thy servant, and bring him (her) to share thy 
heavenly joys. R. Amen. 

WE commend to thee, O Lord ! the soul of thy 
servant, N". (thy handmaid N.), and beseech 
thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world ! 
that thou wouldst admit into the bosom of thy Pa- 
triarchs this soul, for which, in thy mercy, thou 
didst come into the world. Acknowledge, Lord, 



MANUAL FOR THE SICK, ETC. 



437 



this thy creature ; not made by any strange gods, 
but by thee, the only living and true God ; for there 
is no other God but thee, and nothing equals thy 
works. Fill him (her), Lord, with the joy of thy 
presence. Remember no more those sins and 
errors into which he (she) was led by the power of 
evil desires. He (she) has indeed sinned, but has 
never renounced his (her) faith in the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost, and has had a zeal for the glory of 
God, and faithfully worshipped thee, the God and 
Creator of all things. 

T) EMEMBER not, Lord, the sins of his (her) 
Jl\) youth and his (her) ignorance, but according 
to thy great mercy, be mindful of him (her) in the 
brightness of thy glory. May the heavens be opened 
to him (her), and may the angels rejoice in him (her). 
Receive, O Lord, thy servant (thy handmaid) into 
thy kingdom. May St. Michael the Archangel of 
God, who has merited to be the chief of the heavenly 
host, conduct him (her). May the holy Angels of 
God come to meet him (her), and take him (her) to 
the city of the heavenly Jerusalem. May St. Peter, 
to whom God committed the keys of the kingdom 
of heaven, receive him (her). May St. Paul, who 
was worthy to be a vessel of election, assist him 
(her). May St. John, the chosen Apostle of God, 
to whom the secrets of heaven were revealed, inter- 
cede for him (her). May all the holy Apostles, to 
whom the Lord has intrusted the power of loosing 
and binding, pray for him (her). May all the 
Saints and chosen servants of % God who for the name 
of Christ in this world have suffered martyrdom, in- 
tercede for him (her), that he (she) being delivered 
L 37* 



438 



PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS. 



from the bonds of the flesh, may merit to be re- 
ceived into the glory of the kingdom of heaven ; by 
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the 
Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth for- 
ever. Amen. 

AFTER THE SOUL HAS DEPARTED. 

COME to his (her) assistance, ye Saints of God ! 
Come to meet him (her), ye Angels of the 
Lord ! Receive his (her) soul, and bring it into the 
presence of the Most High. May Jesus Christ, who 
has called thee, receive thee, and his Angels bear 
thee to Abraham's bosom. 

Lord, have mercy on him (her) ! 

Christ, have mercy on him (her) ! 

Lord, have mercy on him (her) ! Our Father, &c. 

V. Eternal rest give to him (her), Lord, 

B. And let perpetual light shine upon him (her). 

V. From the gates of hell, 

B. Deliver him (her), Lord. 

V. May he (she) rest in peace. 

B. Amen. 

V. Lord, hear my prayer," 

B. And let my cry come unto thee. 

PRAYER. 

TO Thee, O Lord, we commend the soul of thy 
servant (handmaid), that having departed from 
this world, he (she) may live to thee alone, and that 
in thy infinite goodness and mercy thou wilt pardon 
him (her) whatever sins he (she) may have com- 
mitted in this world, through human frailty. This 
we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



f 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



jfamiltar fitBsons of tptetj), in JTorm of 
Naxxatms anir imitations. 



THE SALVATION OF THE SOUL. 

We read in the history of the Church, that for- 
merly many holy penitents, impressed with the be- 
lief of the nothingness of every thing earthly, and 
the importance of eternal truths, withdrew into soli- 
tary places, that they might give themselves up with- 
out distraction to the meditation of these holy truths. 
Separated from each other, and buried in gloomy 
caverns, as if already in their graves, they occupied 
themselves only with such thoughts as these : — that 
death is certain ; — that no man knows when, where, 
or how he will die, and that any moment may be the 
last of our life ; — that at the moment when a man 
dies, he is judged by God, and must give an exact 
account of all his thoughts, words, and deeds, which 
alone, of all he has, will follow him into the next 



44:2 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



world ; — that after this life, which passes so quickly, 
comes eternity, which has no end, and which will be 
forever blessed, or forever miserable ; — that we only 
come into this world to work out our salvation, and 
if we fail in this, we cannot make good our loss in 
eternity ; — that one mortal sin alone is enough to 
make us eternally miserable, and that sin is the only 
real evil, the only misfortune that we have to fear. 

Penetrated by these solemn thoughts, they watched 
through whole nights, fasted, wore hair-cloth, and 
used every instrument of penance to bring the body 
into subjection to the soul. They lived on roots 
and herbs, or at best on bread, moistened with their 
tears. Pale and emaciated, like living skeletons, 
they passed through a life which seemed more like 
a slow death, and after twenty, thirty, or forty years 
thus spent, having reached the end of their course, 
they asked each other, trembling and full of holy fear, 
with broken accents : " Think you, ah I think you, 
that God will have mercy on my soul, and will for- 
give my sins ? Do you really think that there will 
be any consolation for me in death ? that the Eter- 
nal Judge will soften the rigor of his judgment 
against me ? Can I hope to escape the terrors of 
an eternity of misery, and share in the bliss of the 
elect ?" 

What dispositions ! What an example ! But 
also, what a condemnation, perhaps, for us ! Let us 
weigh this well. 

For if God does not call us to such extraordinary 
things, to which men are drawn only by a peculiar 
and powerful grace, we are all, without exception, 
called to a spirit of penance, without which, there is 
no salvation ; for eternal wisdom has said : " Except 



LESSONS OF PEETY. 



443 



ye do penance, ye shall all likewise perish? (S. 
Luke, xiii.) We are called, first, to seek the king- 
dom of God, not to give our heart to the world, to 
mortify the body, subject it to the control of the 
spirit, and work out our salvation with fear and 
trembling. But why are we doing nothing of all 
this ? These holy penitents, at whose life we won- 
der so much, had they another gospel to follow than 
ours, another religion to practise than we ? Had 
they not the same God to serve, the same eternity to 
hope for, or to fear ? What, then, is the cause of 
so singular a difference ? These saints possessed a 
degree of faith which we have not. And, there- 
fore, they were careful to secure the salvation of 
their souls, while we neglect ours. They constantly 
meditated upon the greatness of God, the enormity 
of sin, the uncertainty of life, the fearful depths 
of divine judgment, an eternity of happiness or 
misery, approaching nearer at every moment ; and 
we — ! how much we fear to occupy ourselves with 
these high and holy subjects. In a word, they 
lived like saints, and v r e live like worldly-minded 
sinners. 

Let us think of these things while there is yet 
time. What are we to expect, if we refuse to 
consider ? What a consolation will it one day be 
to us, that we have reflected on these things ! Let 
us occupy ourselves with them now, that in eternity, 
where these great truths will burst upon our minds 
with irresistible force, we may not despair, but 
rather may reap the eternal fruit of these salutary 
meditations. 

A person who had passed his life in the service of 
an excellent prince, fell dangerously ill. His master 



444 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



who loved him very much, visited him, and found 
him in great danger. There he lay, in his agony, 
just ready to breathe his last. Moved by this spec- 
tacle, the prince said to him : Can I do any thing 
for you ? Ask freely whatever you wish, and do not 
fear that I shall refuse you any thing. My Lord ! 
said the dying man, I know only one thing which, 
in my present condition, I would like to ask of you. 
Prolong my life for one quarter of an hour ! Alas ! 
said the prince, this is not in my power. Ask for 
something else ; something that I can procure 'for 
you. See ! said the dying man, for fifty years I have 
served this master of mine, and now he cannot pro- 
long my life for one quarter of an hour. ! if I 
had only served my God as well, he would grant me 
not a quarter of an hour only, but a whole eternity 
of happiness ! Very soon after that, he breathed his 
last. 

Shall we not, by and by, have the same fate ? 
We wear and wear ourselves out in the service of 
the world ; we even sacrifice ourselves for it, and 
when our last hour comes, what will the world do 
for us, and what will remain to us after all we have 
done for it, if we have neglected the service of God, 
and the salvation of our soul ? Let us consider this, 
and more sincerely and firmly than ever before, say : 
I am resolved to save my soul, and for this, I will 
labor the remainder of my life ! Hitherto I have 
neglected this too much ! Have I not reason to 
look upon it as a great favor, that God still gives 
me the time and the grace to meditate seriously on 
these things ? 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



THE MISERY OF SIN". 

Arcadius, the heretical Emperor of Constantino- 
ple, was greatly enraged against St. John Chrysos- 
tom. He once exclaimed, in his anger, in the pres- 
ence of his courtiers : " O that I could take vengeance 
on this Bishop !" The courtiers immediately came 
forward with their advice. The first said : Send him 
into banishment, and never let him enter your pres- 
ence again ! Another said : Seize his property ! A 
third : Throw him in chains, into prison ! Are you 
not master ? said a fourth : let him be put to death, 
and then you will be rid of him ! At length, one 
who was wiser than the rest came forward, and said 
to the emperor : They are all mistaken ; you cannot 
have your revenge in any such way. Where will 
you banish him ? the whole world is his home. If 
you seize his property, you take it from the poor, 
not from him. If you throw him into prison, he will 
kiss his chains, and esteem himself happy. Con- 
demn him to death, and you open heaven to him. 
No, my Prince, if you would revenge yourself on 
him perfectly, compel him to commit sin. I know 
this man ; he fears nothing in the world but sin, and 
nothing else can make him unhappy. 

O, wonderful and sublime sentiments ! Let us 
never forget them. No ! nothing can harm us but 
sin. "We cannot enter heaven, our true home, if we 
are sinners. If we are sinners, we can never see God, 
the author of our existence. By sin, and even by 
one mortal sin only, if not expiated in due time by 
penance, we become a prey to eternal torments, to 
everlasting despair. 

38 



446 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



Let us consider this, and, if need be, forget every 
thing else, that we may meditate on it. " Flee from 
sins, as from the face of a serpent, for if thou comest 
near them they will take hold of thee. The teeth 
thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of 
men. All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there 
is no remedy for the wound thereof." (Eccli. xxi. 2.) 
Pray humbly also thus : " Father, I have sinned 
against heaven, and before thee. I know my ini- 
quity, and my sin is always before me. Turn away 
thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniqui- 
ties." (Luke, xv. 18 ; Ps. L 5, 11.) 



ETERNITY. 

A celebrated painter of antiquity was once visited 
by another painter, who asked him the following 
question : " How happens it that you, who are so 
great an artist, finish so few pictures, while I, who 
am far inferior to you, complete so many in a short 
time V — " I can answer you that," said the other : 
" you paint for time ; I, for eternity." 

A beautiful lesson ! We all have a picture to 
paint ; for, as Christians, if we would be numbered 
among the elect, we must restore in us the image of 
Jesus Christ, and our resemblance to him, who is the 
pattern and model of all the elect. Towards this 
great work, we may do something every day. A 
prayer offered to God, an alms given for his sake, a 
mortification sanctified by the spirit of penance, all 
these are so many strokes of the pencil, so many 
lines of resemblance to the divine pattern that is given 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



us. But let us always remember that this painting 
is for eternity. 

Penetrated by this great truth, we will, in future, 
live as men should live who are strengthened by 
the thought of eternity, cheered by the hope of 
eternity ; in a word, as men who are destined for 
eternity. O that for us it may be an eternity of 
happiness ! 

Consider this well, and say incessantly to your- 
self : There is an eternity ! — I am destined for 
eternity ! — Perhaps I am at the gate of eternity ! 
What will be my lot in eternity ? Since I know 
not how much time is yet allowed to me here in 
this world, I will henceforth occupy myself with this 
great thought, and regulate my whole conduct by it. 



DELAY OF CONVERSION. 



" Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer 
it not from day to day? (Eccli. v. 8.) ; We see 
every day in the world sinners who live in sin, are 
ingulfed in sin, but say all the while that at some 
future time they will convert ; for they think that 
they shall always have time for that. But this is a 
delusion, a blindness, which has already destroyed, 
and will destroy a countless number of souls. Do 
not deceive yourself, sinner ! if you delay your 
conversion, you expose yourself to the danger of 
never being converted, and of dying as a reprobate. 
Certainly, your religion teaches you nothing which 
can sustain you in such a pernicious hope, but every 
thing warns you that you are in the most extreme 
peril. Yes, every syllable of our Faith ought to 



448 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



strike terror and distress to the conscience of a sin- 
ner who delays his conversion. Terrible are the 
judgments, the threats, the comparisons, the images, 
the histories, the examples of Holy Scripture. Every 
sound of the Gospel is an alarm-bell, every thing in 
the Church cries out in the name of God : Delay no 
longer ! Delay no longer ! Listen to these words, 
and weigh them well. 

Terrible are the warnings, nothing more terrible 
than the passages of Holy Scripture on this point : 
" Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found? (Is. 
lv. 6.) "Walk whilst you have the light, that tlie 
darkness overtake you not. He that walketh in 
darkness knoweth not ivhither he goeth? (John xii. 
35.) "Be you also ready ; for at what hour you 
think not, the Son of man will come? (Luke xii. 
40.) u To-day if you shall hear his voice, harden 
not your hearts? (Ps. xciv. 8.) 

Terrible are the threatenings ! " You shall seek 
me, and shall not find me? (John, viii. 34.) " Be- 
cause I called and you refused, I also will laugh in 
your destruction ; and will mock when that shall 
come- to you which you feared, when sudden calamity 
shall fall on you, and destruction, as a, tempest, shall 
be at hand, when tribulation and distress shall come 
upon you-. Then shall they call upon me, and 1 
will not hear? (Prov. i. 24, 26, 27,28.) "You 
shall die in your sin? (John, viii. 24.) 

Terrible are the comparisons ! " The day of the 
Lord shall come as a thief in the night ; for when 
they shall say, Peace and Security — then shall sud- 
den destruction come upon them? (l Thess. v. 2, 8.) 
" As fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds 
are caught ivith the snare, so men are taken in 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



449 



the evil time, when it shall suddenly come upon 
them." (Eccl. ix. 12.) 

Terrific are the figures ! " As the lightning cometh 
out of the east, and appeareth even unto ike west." 
(S. Matt. xxiv. 27.) Behold the image of our life- 
time ! As the lightning appears for a moment, passes 
and disappears ; so to-day we are in this world, 
to-morrow in eternity. And again : "For now the 
axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree there- 
fore that brvngeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut 
down and cast into the fire" (Luke, hi. 91.) 

Terrible are the parables ! The foolish virgins 
slept, while the Bridegroom tarried, and at midnight 
he came ; they hastened to meet him — but were re- 
jected with those crushing words : " / know you 
not !" The servant who was surprised by the arri- 
val of his master, was seized, bound, and thrown into 
the dark abyss. " Cast the unprofitable servant out 
into the exterior darkness, there shall be weeping and 
gnashing of teeth." (Matt, xxv.) 

Terrible are the examples ! Esau sold his birth- 
right. He wishes for it again, but it is too late ; the 
blessing is forever lost. The dying Antiochus 
prayed, groaned, and sobbed ; alas ! miserable man, 
his heart was not right ; he desired pardon, but ob- 
tained it not : " This wicked man prayed to the 
Lord, of whom he was not to obtain mercy." 
(2 Mach. ix.) 

deluded sinner ! What do all these words of 
thunder announce to those who delay their conver- 
sion to the last ? What, after all these warnings, 
can those unhappy persons expect who are deaf to 
the voice of God during lifetime, who obstinately 
resist divine grace, stifle the voice that calls them to 
38* 



450 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



repentance, grieve the Holy Ghost within their 
hearts, dishonor the adorable blood of the Saviour, 
and harden themselves against all the stiDgs of con- 
science ? What can they expect, since they put olf 
their conversion, but that their penance will never be 
done, or if done will be done ill, without sincerity, 
without fruit, without pardon ? " You shall seek 
one, and you shall die in your sinP (St. John, viii. 
21.) Woe to the sinner who will not take this to 
heart ! 

You say, perhaps, the prospect is not so gloomy 
as this : Did not the laborers who came even at the 
last hour to labor in the vineyard, receive their 
whole wages ? That is true ; but these laborers 
stood in the public place, and wishing and waiting 
for work. On the contrary, where are the sinners, 
who delay repentance, to be found ? At their gam- 
bling, their drinking, their amusements, in the midst 
of their disorderly sins. Are they preparing for a 
good death ? 

Or, it may be said : The penitent thief was con- 
verted in the hour of death : may we not hope for 
as much ? This was rather a miracle than an ex- 
ample, as St. Augustin has said : What ! do you 
expect, sinner, such a miracle of mercy, such a mira- 
cle of conversion ? Do you deserve it \ True, the 
Good Thief was converted at death, but then he had 
never known the Saviour before ; and besides, this is 
the only example of a conversion in the hour of 
death to be found in the Holy Scriptures. And 
where was he converted ? By the side of the dying 
Jesus, sprinkled with his most holy blood ! But 
turn, sinner, turn your eyes to the other side; see 
and tremble ! How did the wicked thief die ? 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



451 



How ? in despair, and yet before the very eyes of 
Jesus Christ. Instead of sleeping, then, in deceitful 
repose, tremble and live in fear all the rest of vour 
life ! 

It is then true that the sinner who puts off doing 
penance, exposes himself to the danger of never being 
converted, and quieting himself with the thought of 
a future imaginary repentance, he casts himself into 
the abyss of a punishment as real as it is eternal. 
Consider this : repeat to yourself what the Holy 
Ghost is always repeating to your heart, " Delay 
not : begin to dav — to-morrow you will be too 
late P 



THE DEATH OF THE SINNER. 

Now let us behold the sinner — the sinner — just 
as we have described him, persevering in sin, post- 
poning his conversion from day to day, and nattering 
himself that he will be converted on his death-bed ; 
— now, let us look at him, laid on his bed by dan- 
gerous sickness. At first he is not alarmed. He is 
told that it is nothing — nothing serious. Meantime 
the sickness increases ; it is becoming serious. And 
then, what happens ? — Physicians are called in con- 
sultation, all lands of remedies are used, every thing 
brought to give relief to the body. And what be- 
comes of the soul ? There is yet time enough for 
that ; that is not so pressing. The sick man must 
not be alarmed, let us wait till to-morrow ; if the 
sickness increases, then he shall be informed. — The 
sickness increases, and at last the physicians pro- 



452 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



nounce it mortal. — Kow, the members of the house- 
hold look at each other ; sorrow is read in every 
countenance ; they speak in whispers ; no one is 
willing to go to the patient ; every one is afraid ; 
no one knows how to tell it to him. O sinful love ! 
O mistaken kindness ! 

At last the end of the sick man approaches, the 
faintness of death comes over him ; — there he lies, 
unconscious, speechless, and insensible. — A Priest ! 
a Confessor ! they cry, in the greatest consternation. 
A Confessor ! — He is sent for in haste ; but, O won- 
derful justice ! O frightful judgment of God ! no 
Piiest is to be found ! Again he is sent for ; he is 
expected : meanwhile the sick man dies. It is what 
Jesus Christ had warned him of. " You shall seek 
?ne, and shall not find me, and you shall die in your 
sins /" 

Perhaps a Priest is found immediately ; he comes 
in haste, but at the moment he enters, the dying 
man breathes his last, and the Priest hears them 
cry : He is dead. Yes ! " You shall die in your 

sins" 

Perhaps he finds the sick man still living : but 
what life is this ? As to his soul's salvation, he 
might almost as well be dead. The drooping head 
is faint and giddy, his rolling eyes can see no more, 
his face is covered with the paleness of death, his 
limbs are stiffening, his breath is difficult and loud, 
he struggles feebly in the strong grapple of his mer- 
ciless foe. The Priest speaks to him ; no sign of 
contrition follows. What prospect of conversion is 
there here ? He dies, and how ? "You shall die in 
your sins." 

Yet we will allow to the sick man every possible 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



453 



advantage. Let us suppose that at the right time he 
is admonished of his situation, that the Confessor 
arrives in good time, and that the sick man is yet 
conscious and in possession of his faculties. Is he, 
with all that, in security ? Come, let us place our- 
selves in spirit by his death- bed; let us witness a 
scene which outwardly, indeed, appears touching 
and edifying, but which* in fact, is most fearful and 
horrible. For, I ask you, what is usually the real 
state, on their death-beds, of those who have delayed 
their conversion ? The judgments of' God are terri- 
ble ! I see there, for the most part, only impenitent 
sinners, differing in many respects one from the 
other, yet all equally impenitent. Slaves of sin 
were they in life ; victims of God's vengeance are 
they now in death. " You shall die in your sins.'' 1 

O, impenitent sinner! thou who, in this last 
solemn hour, dost answer to every appeal with in- 
difference, with death-like insensibility ; whom noth- 
ing touches, nothing moves any more ! It is only 
too plainly seen, by this thy deadly distaste for all 
divine truths, that God has now deserted thee, that 
he has withdrawn himself from thy bed of death. 
M You shall die in your sins 11 

0, impenitent sinner ! thou, who now, on thy 
death-bed, regarding God only as a terrible Judge, 
and a merciless avenger, art casting thyself into the 
abyss of hopelessness and despair ; thou, who, at the 
sight of thy sins, of thy monstrous crimes, believest 
that for thee there is no more mercy; thou, who 
seest thy Lord only in the storm and lightning, thou 
dost condemn thyself, and dost thyself write thine 
eternal despair upon thine own soul. 11 You shall 
die in your sins 11 



454 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



O, impenitent sinner ! thou who dost cast thyself 
into another abyss, by giving thyself up to a rash 
confidence ; thou, who dost imagine the God who 
created thee to be so full of love, that he cannot 
damn a being created by himself ; that his compas- 
sion being infinite, he will therefore easily pardon 
every sin ; thy confidence appears to thee beautiful 
and Christian, but it is devilish, and presumptuous, 
and delivers thee over to a reprobate mind, and im- 
presses on thy hardened heart the seal of its damna- 
tion. 11 You shall die in your sins." 

O, impenitent sinner ! thou who, having stifled all 
faith in thy heart, and having brought it by crime 
to the height of unbelief and impiety, wilt not now 
hear of conversion, of religion, of the sacraments; 
shuttest thine ear and eye to every thing, and diest, 
to the terror and horror of all around thee ; so then 
thou dost complete the abomination of a godless and 
scandalous life by a most unblest and wicked death. 
"You shall die in your sins" 

It is over. The dying man breathes his last sigh. 
He is no more. Already sounds the sadly mournful 
toll of the bell. What does it announce? One 
member less in a family ; one man less in the world ; 
one reprobate more in hell. " You shall die in your 
silts." 

What a death ! Can one think of it without a 

shudder ? 

This is the usual death, I will not say of all, but 
of most sinners who have put off penance for their 
death-bed. These are the dispositions of those hearts 
which they have hardened ; this is the blow which 
then the terrible hand of God deals down upon them. 
A life of sin ; a death accursed. A lifetime of guilt 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



455 



and presumption; an eternity of torment and de- 
spair. " You shall die in your sins" 



THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD. 

Baltassar, the godless Baltassar, sat drinking at 
his licentious banquet, surrounded by his courtiers. 
Sunk, as it were, in sensuality and drunkenness, he 
blasphemed the Lord, abused the mercy of God, and 
even went so far as to profane the consecrated ves- 
sels of the temple. He considered this day as a day 
of joy and revelry. Unhappy man ! it is thy judg- 
ment-day! Suddenly, an awful hand was seen, 
writing on the wall these words : "Mane : Thecel : 
Phares I have numbered, I have weighed, I have 
divided ! I have numbered thy days, they are 
ended : I have weighed thy deeds, they condemn 
thee : I have divided thy kingdom, and deliver thee 
to thine enemies. This was the verdict given, and 
the judgment pronounced against him. On the 
same night it was fulfilled ; he who had lived a pro- 
fligate, died a reprobate. 

Let us fear the impenetrable judgments of God ; 
let us think of them day and night, that we may 
^always be prepared for them ; let us tremble before 
the powerful arm of God, and never forget that even 
as God is a God of mercy, so also is he a God of 
justice. 

St. Jerome was one of the greatest penitents in 
the Church of God. Disgusted by the tumult and 
grandeur of Rome, he retired into Palestine, and 
buried himself, so to say, in solitude. The austerity 
of his life and of his penance are not to be described, 



4:56 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



nor the mortifications, discipline, and holy severity 
which he inflicted upon himself. He beat his breast 
with a stone, so that his body was always wounded 
and bathed in blood. With all this, he kept con- 
tinually before his mind, in fear and trembling, the 
severity of the judgment of God. Absorbed in pro- 
found meditation on this thought, "Alas!" he ex- 
claimed with a shudder, " I think I hear at every 
moment the dreadful trumpet, which will one day 
call us to judgment. Day and night it is sounding 
in my ears, and my troubled soul can find no rest, 
reflecting always upon the majesty of that God who 
is one day to judge it." Thus he passed his life in 
fear, and in the expectation of judgment. Happy 
was he, to anticipate that fearful trial by his con- 
stant and severe penance. 

Let us also learn to reflect upon the judgment of 
God, for we must one day appear before it. . Let us 
learn to fear it, for it will decide our.fate for eternity. 
Let us learn to prepare for it, for our happiness or 
misery depends upon this preparation. Let us judge 
ourselves severely, that God may judge us in his 
mercy. Let us rise above the vain judgment of 
men, for this it is which turns us aside from the law 
of God. Finally, let us ask of God that he will be 
gracious to us on this dreadful day of retribution. » 



THE TIME OF GRACE. 

How solemnly beautiful and interesting is that 
scene related in the Gospel, where Jesus, seeing be- 
fore him the City of Jerusalem, began to weep over 
its fate. (St. Luke, xix.) Alas ! said he, unhappy 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



457 



city, if thou also hadst known my purpose, full of 
compassion and mercy towards thee, what graces 
would have been thine ! Thy enemies would have 
feared thee, thy inhabitants would have tasted the 
sweets of peace, in honor and glory thou wouldst 
have continued. Unthankful and guilty City ! how 
often would I have gathered together thy children, 
as the hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, 
and thou hast not followed my tender call — and 
thou wouldst not. Behold, for the punishment of 
this thy infidelity, great distress shall come upon 
thee, thy enemies shall compass thee round ; they 
shall lay waste thy fields, overthrow thy walls, slay 
thy children, and they shall not leave in thee one 
stone upon a stone ! And therefore shall all this 
misery come upon thee, because thou hast not 
known the time of. my visitation, because thou hast 
neglected the time of grace, because thou hast not 
responded to my invitations of mercy. All these 
prophecies were fulfilled : the ruin, the desolation of 
Jerusalem, and the long-continued miseries of the 
unbelieving Jews even in our day, fill the world 
with astonishment. 

Of how many souls this guilty and unhappy City 
is an image ! How many, by their obstinate resist- 
ance to grace, draw down upon themselves a sorrow 
which is all the greater, because it endures forever ! 
Reflect upon it well ! Grace urges you now : be 
true to it ! Nothing is so terrible as the abuse of 
grace. 

39 



4-58 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE. 

It is related that when St. Peter was leaving 
R(5me in the time of persecution, he met our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who was carrying a heavy cross upon 
his shoulders. St. Peter asked his Lord whither he 
was going in that sad condition, and our Lord an- 
swered him : I am going to Rome to deliver myself 
up to be crucified for you, because you refuse to suf- 
fer for me. St. Peter, ashamed of his weakness, and 
penetrated by a lively sorrow, returned to Rome, 
where, with great courage and joy, he suffered martyr- 
dom for the name and honor of his divine Master. 

We have imitated St. Peter in his weakness ; 
when shall we imitate him in his generosity ? Alas, 
how often might our Lord Jesus Christ say. to us: 
I am going to give myself up again to death for 
you, because you refuse to bear my cross ! We 
would like to have nothing to suffer ; we complain 
and murmur at the least trouble. Only the sound 
of the word " sufferings," nay, even the thought of 
it, makes us tremble. Is this to be a Christian, is 
this to be a disciple of a God who died for us on 
the cross ? O suffering Saviour, teach us to suffer ! 
help us to suffer ! sanctify us through our sufferings, 
united with thine, and receiving all their merit from 
thine ! Let us then be a little more considerate, 
and instead of bewailing our sufferings, let us praise 
God who gives us the means to atone for our sins. 

A soul that cannot suffer cannot love. True love 
only shows itself in sufferiug. Jesus Christ has 
planted the cross in order to show us the way to 
heaven ; He holds it before the soul to guide her 
there. 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



459 



Many Saints would have been lost without suffer- 
ing, and many lost souls would have been great 
saints through suffering. It is better to weep than 
to sin. Weep now with the penitent, that by and 
by you may rejoice with the elect. 



THE LOVE OF OUR ENEMIES. 

The brother of St. John Gualbert was assassinated. 
The murderer one day met John Gualbert unarmed ; 
John was armed, and in a place where he could not 
possibly avoid him. When the murderer saw that 
there was no escape, he fell on his knees, and stretch- 
ing out his arms in the form of a cross, implored his 
enemy, in the name of Jesus who had died on the 
cross, that he would spare his life. Gualbert, moved 
by these words, forgave and embraced him, and then 
went into a neighboring church to pray before a cru- 
cifix. From this moment he laid aside his armor, re- 
nounced the world, and retired to a cloister. After- 
wards he became the founder of the order of Yallom- 
brosa. 

What an example, and what a disposition ! Ex- 
amine yourself and see if your dispositions are as 
Christian. Do you sincerely and from the heart for- 
give your enemies ? Do you love your neighbor as 
yourself ? Do you behold Jesus Christ in him ? Ee- 
rlect on this, and judge yourself in the presence of God. 

Christians, children of one Father, let us love one 
another ! Let us love each other in God and for 
God. Let us love each other sincerely, firmly, faith- 
fully ! Let us love one another in this world, that 
in the other we may be united forever ! 



460 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



WARNING TO PARENTS. 

The High Priest Heli had two sons, who by their 
sinful lives, their injustice and profligacy, profaned 
the holy priesthood, and were the objects of com- 
plaint and scandal to all Israel. 

Innumerable complaints were made to their father, 
but too great weakness and a sinful indulgence took 
from him the courage and strength to restrain them. 
At length, full of anger, God sent his servant Samuel, 
who announced to the unfaithful father that so dread- 
ful a misfortune was about to fall upon him, that 
every one who heard it would be filled with horror. 
And so it happened ; the moment for the divine pun- 
ishment came. When the war broke out between 
the Israelites and Philistines, a battle took place in 
which twenty thousand Israelites were slain — left 
dead upon the field, the ark of the covenant fell into 
the hands of the enemy, and both the sons of the 
High Priest, Ophni and Phinees, were found on the 
battle-field swimming in their blood. 

Trembling, the messengers brought this news to 
Heli, their unhappy father, and when he heard it he 
fell backward so suddenly that his neck was broken 
and he died instantly. Thus in one day the punish- 
ment fell upon this wretched family, a terrible retri- 
bution upon the sinful weakness of the father and the 
evil conduct of his sons. 

Fathers and mothers ! reflect upon this, and teach 
your children to think of it also. 

During a violent persecution which arose in Japan 
against the Christian religion, a Christian husband 
and wife were daily expecting martyrdom, and were 
preparing for ft by fervent prayer. They had a son 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



461 



who was still very young, and on his account they 
were much troubled. As they sat together talking 
of him, they said to each other : We hope, by the 
grace of God, to suffer martyrdom for our holy reli- 
gion, but what then will become of this poor child \ 
Will he have strength to endure the suffering ? or, 
will he yield to the torture and deny his faith ? 

While they were talking, the child appeared to be 
at play and not to take notice of what they were 
saying ; he was heating an iron red hot in the fire 
by which they sat, and when it was entirely red, he 
drew it out and laid it with heroic courage upon his 
hand. The terrified parents asked Jiim what he was 
doing, and why he did it ? "I am doing it," calmly 
answered the child, " to show you that I have courage 
to suffer martyrdom, rather than to give up my faith." 
The parents were astonished — they tenderly em- 
braced their child, burst into tears, and thanked God 
who had given him to them. All three were so 
happy as to receive the crown of martyrdom. 

O ! blessed results of that good education which 
these parents had given to that child of benediction. 
Happy parents ! happy child ! 0, what will be the 
recompense of both in heaven ! 

Sentiments of Christian piety are sometimes as 
deep and lively in countries newly converted to the 
faith, as they were in the first Christians. In a dis- 
tant and newly discovered country, lived 2! worthy 
Christian family. The father and mother led the 
life of saints ; their sole occupation was the care of 
their salvation, and the duties of their condition. 
They daily assembled their whole house to listen to 
spiritual reading. One of their children, a boy of five 
or six years, who had heard them read of the suffer- 
39* 



462 SPIRITUAL READING. 

mgs of our Lord Jesus Christ, was so moved by them, 
that, from an earnest desire to imitate Jesus and to 
suffer something for love of him, he walked every 
day barefoot upon nettles till his feet bled. He also 
made himself a crown of sharp thorns, upon which he 
laid his head at night, in honor of the crown of 
thoms of Jesus Christ. When his parents discovered 
this, they forbade him to do so any longer, but they 
well knew that God had particular designs of mercy 
with regard to this child. And, indeed, when he 
grew up, he entered into the priesthood, devoted him- 
self to the labors of a missionary in a distant country, 
and there, by the*grace of God, accomplished won- 
derful things, ending his life at last in these holy 
occupations. 

In our days, certainly, parents have rather to see 
to it that their children are kept from evil than to 
restrain their pious zeal, for it rarely happens now, 
that the grace of God manifests itself so wonderfully 
in childhood. It is true that sometimes an especial 
inclination for prayer, love for invisible divine things, 
and an irresistible desire to imitate Jesus, are still to 
be found in the tender soul of children", but alas, 
these beautiful buds of holiness are soon destroyed by 
bad principles, bad example, or the cold, foolish idea, 
that every thing is extravagant and objectionable, 
which is not to be seen every day, and does not fol- 
low the ordinary fashion of the world. Therefore, 
dear Christian parents, if you have a child which 
shows an extraordinary inclination to piety, thank 
God for it ; and at the same time see that you do 
nothing to interfere with these dispositions. Do not, 
however, on the contrary, quench the Spirit of God 
by flattery and caresses, and thus teach your little 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



463 



children to be pious hypocrites. In fine, with re- 
gard to these matters, consult pious and well -in- 
structed priests who thoroughly understand the ways 
of God. 



WARNING TO CHILDREN. 

One of the most wicked and miserable parents 
that perhaps ever lived, had a son who was as bad 
as himself. Sunk in every kind of vice, they both 
plunged deeper and deeper into the abyss of de- 
struction. The son was disobedient, wilful, pas- 
sionate, and violent, even to fury. They were always 
disputing and quarrelling, and lived in continual 
strife. Each cursed the other. One day, when the 
father rebuked the son, and reproached him with his 
bad behavior, the wretched child seized his father, 
who was already advanced in years, and in a rage 
threw him on the ground and dragged him by the 
hairs of his head down the stairs, that he might 
throw him out of the house. When he had dragged 
him a little way, the fa f her raised his voice and cried : 
Stop ! wretch ! when I was of your age I never 
dragged my father further than this ! Thus, at last 
the sinful father acknowledged the justice of God, 
who permitted his son to treat him as he himself had 
treated his own father. 

O how terrible are the judgments of God, but also 
how guilty are you, ye disobedient and unnatural 
children ! Learn to respect your parents always, 
even when you see them to be wicked. I know thai 
excesses so dreadful as what I have related are not of 
every day occurrence, but still I know that great dis- 
orders happen every day, not only among people of 



464 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



low condition, of coarse sentiments, and without 
education, but also among the rich and refined ; not 
always perhaps so publicly manifest to the eyes of 
men, but well known to God and detestable in his 

sight. 

O then, children, be always kind and affection ate, 
respectful and obedient to your parents. Try in every 
possible way to make them comfortable and happy, 
and to repay them for the many cares and anxieties 
they have suffered for you. This is the will of God, 
and he will recompense you for it. Hear what a 
splendid promise is attached to the commandment 
which he- gives you ! " Honor thy father and thy 
mother, that thou mayst be long-lived upon the land 
which the Lord thy God will give thee" 



THE LOVE OF GOD. 

What a beautiful example is afforded us in the 
sublime action of a certain woman who lived in 
Alexandria ! She appeared one day on a public 
place of that great city, holding in one hand a 
vessel of water, and in the other a burning torch, and 
when she was asked what she intended to do with 
them % she answered : With this torch I would set 
the heavens on fire, and with this water I would ex- 
tinguish the fire of hell, that henceforth man might 
love his God, not for the hope of reward or the fear 
of punishment, but only and purely for himself and 
because of his adorable perfections ! 

What a beautiful sentiment! worthy of a great 
soul that perceives what God is, and how much he 
deserves all our love for his own sake. 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



465 



It is related of the Japanese, that when the Gos- 
pel was preached to them, and when they were in- 
structed in the beauty, greatness, and infinite good- 
ness of God, but especially when in the great myste- 
ries of our religion they learned all that God had 
done for man — when it was represented to them, 
how from love to us and for our salvation he became 
man and died ;— astonished and enraptured, they 
exclaimed : O how great, how good, how adorable 
is the God of Christians ! But when they heard tha't 
there was an especial law, commanding us to love 
God and threatening with punishment those who 
love him not, then they were still more astonished, 
and could not recover from their surprise. How is 
this, said they ? Does a reasonable man need to be 
commanded to love a God like this God, who has so 
loved us ? Is it not then the greatest happiness to 
love him, and the greatest misfortune not to love 
him? What! are not Christians always prostrate 
before the altar of their God, penetrated by his good- 
ness, inflamed with holy love to him ? And when 
they heard that there were Christians who not only 
did not love God, but who offended him and blas- 
phemed him, they exclaimed with indignation : O 
unjust people ! ungrateful hearts ! Is it possible 
that Christians are capable of such a sin, and in 
what accursed land do these senseless and heartless 
men live ? 

Christians, only too much do we deserve these 
just reproaches, and these people will one day be 
called up as witnesses against us, and will accuse 
us and condemn us before God ! 

Let us meditate on this. The precept to love God 
is the first and most essential of all the command- 



466 SPIRITUAL READING. 

ments. Love is the fulfilling of the whole law, 

Weigh this well, and let us imitate in this, as far as 

we can, what the saints are doing in heaven, and 

what we too hope to do in eternity. Let us love 

God with our whole heart. 

Perhaps we have hitherto never loved God as we 

were bound. distressing thought ! Let us at 

feast devote the rest of our lifetime to the holy love 

of God. 
# 



HEAVEN. 

When King Assuerus would reward Mordechai 
for the important service which he had rendered to 
the State, he ordered him to be clad in royal appa- 
rel, and the crown placed upon his head ; and thus 
adorned and surrounded with all the majesty and 
pomp of royal dignity, he commanded him to be 
placed in triumph on the King's own horse. The 
most illustrious nobleman of the whole court was 
then to conduct him through every part of the im- 
perial city, preceded by a herald, who announced in 
a loud voice to all the people : " Thus shall he be 
honored, whom the King hath a mind to honor." 

Suppose that, at this very moment, God were to 
open our eyes, and show us one of the Elect in the 
full splendor of that glory which surrounds him in 
heaven ; could we thus behold him in all the joy 
and rapture wherein the blessed Saints are bathed 
in their heavenly home, and could we hear a celes- 
tial voice proclaiming, " Behold, ye mortals, and ad- 
mire, thus God honors, thus God rewards his saints 
in glory P ■ How transported would we be at such 
a scene ! " Ambitious man I" so would that Blessed 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



467 



Saint address us, " what are all the honors of the 
world compared with the honor and glory which I 
now enjoy \ Avaricious man ! What are all your 
fleeting possessions and treasures, compared to these 
infinite and indestructible treasures prepared for the 
elect in Heaven % Ye dissolute and sensual sinner.-, 
what are all those base pleasures that you enjoy for 
a moment, compared to these pure and unspeakable 
raptures, which delight the elect of God for all eter- 
nity T how such a sight as this would fill us 
with disgust for all the false and deceitful goods of 
this world ! What a longing would it excite in us 
for the enduring and never-ending treasures of a glo- 
rious immortality ! 

Christians ! what w T e cannot see with our bodily 
eye, religion manifests clearly to our faith, and of- 
fers to our hopes. Let us then, by a holy life here, 
make ourselves worthy of an immortal life hereafter. 

Heaven is waiting for us, let us detach ourselves 
from earth. We have here no dwelling-place, our 
true home is Heaven. 

Let us ponder deeply on these things, and let our 
only endeavor be to merit Heaven. Happy are they 
who have striven for this their whole life long ! 
Where shall we go when we die ? What will be 
our fate ? Heaven or Hell ? 

u Beautiful Heaven, I shall never see thee !" said 
once a famous heretic on his death-bed. What a 
death ! " My son ! look up to Heaven," said once a 
mother to her son, who was suffering martyrdom, m 
(2 Mach. vii.) The Church calls upon us all to look 
up to Heaven ! Make yourselves worthy one day to 
enter there, and look well to it, that your way of life 
be such as will bring you there. 



468 



SPIRITUAL RE ADEN" G. 



THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS. 

A widow who possessed few of the goods of this 
world, but was therefore all the richer in piety and 
zeal for the education of her children, had a daugh- 
ter, ten years of age, named Dorothy. She was 
lively and inclined to amusement, and her mother 
was obliged to take great care that she should not 
be spoiled by her playmates ; and as she had not 
much leisure to devote to the little girl's education, 
she confided her, notwithstanding her poverty, to 
the care of a pious matron, in order that she 
might be brought up and educated in a religious 
manner. 

The little Dorothy remained two years with her 
mistress, and during this time made wonderful pro- 
gress in piety. She treasured up all the instructions 
of her beloved teacher, but more deeply than all the 
rest was this impressed upon her heart : namely, 
that in all our actions we must take Jesus for our 
pattern. 

When Dorothy returned home to her mother she 
was the example and consolation of the whole house. 
Patient, gentle, obedient, she never complained of 
any thing. She said little, but always spoke at 
the right time ; she was always contented ; what- 
ever labor was imposed upon her, or whatever con- 
tradictions she met with, always she remained in 
the same cheerful disposition : pure-minded and mo- 
■ [.-r. she was an enemy to every kind of vanity ; 
she was respectful towards every one, spoke no evil 
of any one, was useful to all, and always recollected 
and united to God. 



LESSONS OB PIETY. 



469 



Such conduct shortly procured for her the esteem 
of the whole parish. Nevertheless, envy was not 
idle, but soon excited enemies against her. Some of 
her companions, stimulated by jealousy, calumniated 
her, and described her as a hypocrite and false de- 
votee. Dorothy bore all this in silence for the love 
of Jesus Christ, and continued to treat all who spoke 
ill of her in the most friendly manner. In the end, 
the people acknowledged Dorothy's virtue, and the 
slanders of her enemies rebounded upon themselves 
to their own confusion. 

The Priest of the parish, who saw with admira- 
tion the workings of divine grace in this young maid- 
en, and also her good influence on all with whom 
she associated, once said to her : " Tell me, Dorothy, 
in confidence, how you pass the day, and how you 
conduct yourself towards your companions?" and 
Dorothy answered : " It seems to me, Father, that I 
do very little in comparison with what I ought to 
do. I have never forgotten the instruction which 
my teacher gave me when I was only eleven years 
old. She often said to me : In all your sufferings 
take Jesus Christ for your model. Now, this I en- 
deavor to do, and I do it in this way : 

When I wake and arise in the morning I imagine 
the infant Jesus before me, and think how on awak- 
ing he offered himself as a sacrifice to God, his 
Heavenly Father. When I pray, I represent to my- 
self Jesus praying, as he prayed to his Heavenly Fa- 
ther, and in my heart I unite myself to his divine 
devotion. When I am at work, I call to mind the 
sweat, the labor, and the pains which Jesus Christ 
endured for my soul's salvation, and so far from com- 
plaining, I unite my labor joyfully and submissively 
40 



470 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



with his. If I am directed to do any thing difficult 
and painful, I immediately remember how Jesus 
Christ for my love suffered death on the cross, and 
this makes me glad to undertake any thing required 
of me, however arduous it may be. 

If any one speaks ill of me, or says to me cruel 
and insulting things, I answer nothing ; I suffer in 
silence, and remember how Jesus Christ silently and 
without a murmur endured all false accusations, ca- 
lumnies, tortures, and even the most cruel outrages ; 
I remembered that Jesus was innocent ; that on the 
contrary, I am a sinner, and deserve far more suffer- 
ing than can ever be inflicted upon me. 

If I eat, I represent to myself with what sobriety 
and temperance my Lord Jesus Christ took nourish- 
ment, that he might labor for the glory of his Heav- 
enly Father. If I taste any thing disagreeable, I 
think of the gall w T hich Jesus Christ tasted on the 
cross, and make a sacrifice of my sensuality to him. 
If I am hungry and have nothing to satisfy my hun- 
ger, I am not discontented, for I remember that Jesus 
fasted forty days and forty nights, and that he en- 
dured the most cruel hunger for love of me, and in 
expiation of the intemperance and gluttony of men. 

When I am present at any entertainment, or 
mingle in any conversation, I call to mind how 
gentle, kind, and holy was Jesus in the midst of his 
apostles. If I hear any wicked language, or observe 
any sinful conduct, I instantly pray God to forgive 
it, and remember how deeply the most holy heart of 
Jesus was wounded whenever he saw any offence 
committed against his Heavenly ^ Father. When I 
think of the innumerable sins which are committed 
in the world, and how much God is offended upon 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



471 



earth, then I mourn for them, and unite my sorrow 
to that of Jesus Christ, when, weeping, he cried to 
his Heavenly Father, "Holy Father, the world hath 
not known thee /" 

When I go to make my confession, I represent to 
myself the tears of Jesus Christ and his bitter agony 
in the garden, and on the cross. When I hear the 
holy mass, I unite my mind and heart with that 
most holy intention with which Jesus Christ offers 
himself upon the altar, for the glory of his Heavenly 
Father, in atonement for our sins, and for the salva- 
tion of all men. W^hen I sing, or hear others sing 
the praises of God, I rejoice in the Lord, and think 
of that holy song of praise which Jesus Christ sang 
with his apostles, that evening when he instituted 
the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. 

When I lie down to sleep, I represent to myself 
the sacred sleep of Jesus, who only allowed himself 
to repose that he might gain fresh strength to glo- 
rify his Heavenly Father ; or I remember how dif- 
ferent is my bed from the painful cross, whereon he 
lay extended like an innocent lamb, and offered to 
God his spirit and his life ; then I fall asleep, re- 
peating to myself the words of my crucified Jesus : 
" Father ! Father ! into thy hands I commend my 
spirit." 

The curate was surprised to find so much intelli- 
gence in a poor young village girl, and said to her : 
" O, Dorothy, how happy are you ! What great 
consolations do you not enjoy in your humble con- 
dition !" " It is true," said Dorothy, " I enjoy great 
comfort in the service of God, yet I must not con- 
ceal from you that I have also endured great suffer- 
ings and struggles. I have been obliged to use 



472 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



great effort to bear the jests of those who ridicule 
me, and to conquer my extremely violent passions. 
God has indeed been gracious to me, yet he has 
permitted me to be assailed by many and great 
temptations; sometimes I have been almost over- 
whelmed with grief, sometimes I suffer great spirit- 
ual dryness, and sometimes I find myself quite down- 
hearted, and ready to sink with weariness." 

"And what do you do then," said the priest, " to 
free yourself from your troubles and temptations 
" Then," answered Dorothy, sweetly ; " Then I think 
of my Saviour on the Mount of Olives, cast-down, 
distressed, and sorrowful even unto death ; or I re- 
present him to myself on the cross, forsaken and 
without consolation, and I unite myself with him 
there, and repeat to myself the words which he so 
often repeated in the time of his desolation : '•Father, 
thy will be done P 

"And in my temptations I do thus : If I feel any 
secret inclination to go into certain kinds of com- 
pany, to evening parties, dances, or other dangerous 
assemblies, which sometimes happens, when other 
decent girls who do not avoid such dangerous occa- 
sions invite me to go with them ; or if I am urged 
by violent temptations to commit sin, or to allow 
myself a little more liberty ; then I imagine Jesus 
Christ saying to me: 'What, my daughter! wilt 
thou quit me, to give thyself up to the world and 
its joys ? Wilt thou take thy heart away from me, 
to devote it to vanity and the infernal enemy ? Are 
there not enough already to offend me ? Wilt thou 
go join them also, and leave my service V And 
then I instantly answer Him with my whole heart : 
No, my God! never, never will I leave Thee. I 



LESSONS OF PIETY. 



473 



will remain with thee until death. Where should I 
go, my Lord ! if I leave thee ? Thou alone hast the 
words of Life ! — and this thought immediately gives 
me strength and courage." 

The curate asked her further: " Upon what sub- 
jects do you speak with your companions when you 
are with them !" " I speak to them of just the 
same things as your reverence has just been good 
enough to listen to. I tell them that they must 
take our Lord Jesus Christ for their pattern in all 
their actions ; they must, at prayers, at table, at 
work, in company, and in all the sufferings of life, 
remember what Jesus Christ did in the same cir- 
cumstances, and unite themselves with his divine in- 
tention. I tell them that I make use of this holy 
practice, and find the advantage of it, that nothing 
can be higher, nothing nobler than to imitate a 
God, and nothing sweeter than to serve so good a 
Master." 

"Well, Dorothy," said the good Priest to her, 
" go on, and profit by the graces which heaven be- 
stows upon you ! The Lord has certainly great and 
merciful designs in regard to you. May he accom- 
plish all his holy purposes to your sanctification and 
happiness." 0, happy souls, who are willing and 
ready to imitate Jesus Christ so closely ! 

40* 



474 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



©f tlje one onljj SatJtng jfaitl) anir 
fitjarcf). 



L There is a true Religion. 

From the foundation of the world religion has 
always existed, with its worship, its priests, its sacri- 
fices, and its places consecrated to God. Among 
all the nations of the world from the beginning, 
there has been found a deep veneration for a great 
supreme divine Being, in other words, for God ; 
while, on the other hand, those few who have been 
unwilling to acknowledge any respect for religion, 
worship, or sacrifice, were always regarded as worthy 
of detestation, and therefore called godless men, that 
is, men without God. Men who believe in no reli- 
gion stand alone in the world, separated from all 
their race. The voice of mankind in all ages, and 
in all nations, condemns them. To say, a man 
without religion, a man without a God, sounds as 
strangely as to say, a man unlike other men, a man 
who is not a man, a man without a soul. 

But if men who believe in no religion are few, 
those who believe in false religions are many, and it 
is not wonderful that it should be so. 

As men removed themselves more and more from 
the restraints of religion, and became, addicted to 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 475 



vice, particularly the vice of impurity, the most holy 
God, by a just punishment, abandoned them to their 
own perverse thoughts and imaginations, as the 
Apostle Paul tells us: "For, professing themselves 
to be wise, they became fools, and they changed the 
glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of 
the image of a corruptible man, and of birds and 
of four-footed beasts, and of creeping things.'''' 
(Rom. i. 22.) In other words, they became idol- 
aters, inventing strange, absurd, and unnatural reli- 
gions for themselves, according to the desire of their 
corrupt hearts. 

In this way, formerly idolatry sprung up, and in 
like manner, all other false religions have arisen. It 
is only through the sins of men, and their godless 
pride, that so many such are found in the world. 
All these false religions, however, only prove the 
more clearly the existence of a true religion, of which 
they are the separated and corrupted branches, just 
as the green tree is found in the midst of the wither- 
ed boughs which lie around it. 

II. There is only one true Religion. 

Now, whoever says that, in the eyes of God, all 
the religions of the world are good, and that men 
can be saved in every religion, neither knows what 
God nor what religion is. There is only one true 
God, and consequently there is also one only true 
religion ; for what is religion but the true way to 
serve and worship God ? Two men, who contradict 
each other respecting one and the same thing, can- 
not both be right, neither can two contradictory re- 
ligions both be true. All the various religions in 



476 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



the world contradict each other in the most impor- 
tant things ; and yet among them all only one can 
be true. 

Besides, God is always, and in all places, forever, 
and for all men, the same unchangeable God, who 
can neither practise deceit himself, nor be deceived 
by any other. God cannot, therefore, ever contra- 
dict himself, nor make contrary revelations at differ- 
ent times and places. What he reveals to men as 
true in one country, or one age of the world, must 
be true in every country, and in all ages. More- 
over, God is bound always to detest and reject every 
error and falsehood. It cannot, therefore, at one and 
the same time be true that Mahomet was the great 
Prophet of God, as the Turkish religion teaches, and 
that he was a great impostor and instrument of the 
devil, as every Christian is bound to hold. So, also, 
it cannot be equally true that the Pope is the Vicar 
of Jesus Christ on earth, as the Catholic religion 
teaches, and that he is Antichrist, as they say among 
the Protestants, for surely the God of truth would 
not have some men believe one thing for true, and 
other men exactly the opposite. 

Again, God is supremely good and wise ; conse- 
quently, he cannot approve the vices and follies of 
men. But if God approves all religions, then he 
would have me live as a heathen among the heathen, 
like a Turk among the Turks, a Jew among Jews, a 
Christian among Christians. To believe this of an 
infinitely holy God, would be even more shocking 
than to believe that there is no God, because nothing 
can dishonor him so much as to impute to him a 
false and wicked spirit. 



"FAITH AND THR CHURCH. 477 



HI. This one only true Religion, is the 
Religion of Jesus Christ. 

In the first place, nothing can be more clear than 
that the true religion must be one revealed to us 
from Heaven. Eternal truth is known only to God, 
and to those to whom he chooses to reveal it, for as 
holy Scripture expresses it : " God dwells in inacces- 
sible light" (1 Tim. vi. 16.) No one, therefore, 
can be to us the Way, the Truth, and the Life but 
God alone. For this reason it was that God spoke 
to men formerly by the Patriarchs and Prophets, 
and when the greater part had wandered away from 
that early light, in later times, he spoke to the world 
once more, teaching it again more clearly and more 
abundantly by his own Son Jesus Christ, whom, 
therefore, St, John calls so truly and significantly 
the Word of God. 

Let us now examine for a moment the origin and 
history of the Christian religion, and see if any room 
is left to doubt that it is the true faith, which comes 
from heaven and rests upon the authority of God. 

Nearly 2000 years ago, in the time of the Roman 
Emperor Tiberias Caesar, and while Herod Antipas 
was reigning as the tributary king of the Jews, there 
appeared in that land which we now call Palestine, 
on the eastern borders of the Mediterranean Sea, an 
extraordinary man, whom the world has ever since 
known, and whom Christians adore by the name of 
Jesus Christ. The truth of his existence cannot be 
doubted, for we not only have his life and doctrines 
written out in full by his own friends and followers, 
but the great historians of those early days, both 



478 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



heathen and Christian, make frequent mention of 
him, and of the bitter persecutions raised against his 
disciples. After a struggle of 300 years, the religion 
of Jesus became dominant, and is found mingled 
ever since with all the important events of the civil- 
ized world. That he really lived, and is the founder 
of the Christian religion, none, therefore, but a mad- 
man can dispute. But what was his doctrine, and 
how did he establish its truth ? 

The account which this great Teacher gave of 
himself was startling and wonderful. While he ac- 
knowledged himself to have come into the world 
like other men, being bom of a woman, he claimed 
to have for his Father no other than the eternal God 
himself. He declared himself to be older than 
Abraham, who had lived more than 2000 years be- 
fore, and that he had come from heaven, where he 
was reigning in glory with God his Father, before 
ever the world was created. (St. John, viii. 58, 
xvii. 5.) But the reason he gave for his coming 
into this world of ours was equally wonderful, and 
such as to melt the hardest heart to tears of tender- 
ness. He came to suffer and die for sinners, that -by 
the shedding of his innocent blood he might redeem 
and save all those who would believe in him, and 
keep his commandments. 

But on what proofs did this extraordinary Preacher 
found his claim to be believed ? How should men 
know that he was really, as he said, the Son of God 
sent into the world to teach and to save mankind ? 
He might easily appeal to the wisdom and holiness 
of his doctrine, which could only come from heaven ; 
he might allege the voices of so many Prophets who 
had long before foretold his coming in the clearest 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 479 



terms ; but he had arguments still more direct and 
convincing than these. He appealed confidently to 
the miracles which he wrought before the very eyes 
of his hearers. Go and relate, he said, what you 
have heard and seen : the blind see, the lame ivalk, 
the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead 
rise again. (St. Matt. xi. 4.) I do not bear witness 
of myself, nor do I ask the testimony of any man in 
my favor ; these miracles which I do give testimony 
of me that God my Father hath sent me. By this 
you may know with certainty that my doctrine 
comes from God, if only you are willing to obey the 
word of God. (St. John, v.) 

Such proofs were enough to convince the world. 
And the world has been convinced. It has be- 
lieved that the doctrine of Jesus Christ is from God, 
that is, that Jesus Christ was himself the eternal Son 
of the eternal Father, and that his is the only true, 
holy, and saving religion. What is the history of 
the world since the time of Christ ? Listen ! On 
the Feast of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost, in the form 
of fiery tongues, descended upon the little company 
of Jesus' disciples. Then twelve simple and un- 
learned fishermen stood up before a great multitude 
assembled at Jerusalem, to celebrate the Feast, and 
preached that Jesus Christ, the crucified and de- 
spised Jesus Christ, who had been put to death as a 
criminal, was the Son of the living God, that he had 
arisen again from the dead, and was seated on a 
throne in heaven ; that in his name alone was there 
any hope for the pardon of sins ; that whosoever 
would believe and be baptized, should be saved, but 
that every one who refused to believe should be 
damned ; and that, finally, a day was to come when 



480 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



all men, whether rich or poor, kings or beggars, 
should be brought before his throne to be judged. 
Wonderful doctrine, but what was its success ? 

Behold, before the doctrine of these twelve poor 
fishermen all the pomp and power of a heathen 
world fall prostrate ! all kneel to adore the crucified 
Jesus, and that humble cross is planted in triumph 
throughout the world ! In fact, no sooner does 
Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, begin to preach, 
than thousands throw themselves at his feet, crying, 
" What shall we do to be saved P The sound of 
this apostolic trumpet fills the earth— the syna- 
gogues, the councils, the academies, the doctors, the 
high priests, and the powerful rulers of the world all 
united together in a fury to overthrow this work of 
twelve poor fishermen ; Peter, their chief and leader, 
comes at length to Eome, the most civilized of all 
cities, and the mistress of the world. There he 
preaches before Nero, the proudest of tyrants, who 
forbade men to listen to this stranger, under pain of 
death. But in vain kings and people rage against 
Jesus, the anointed of the living God; Jesus is 
adored at the court of Nero ! The Apostles are 
thrown into chains and prison ; they are condemned 
to the most cruel tortures, and to the most dreadful 
sufferings ; they are plunged in boiling oil ; they 
are torn in pieces, pierced through with lances, 
flayed alive, but joyfully, for Jesus' sake, they suffer 
death in every cruel form. This even becomes an 
object of their most ardent desires. But behold a 
new wonder ! Their very blood becomes the seed 
from which spring innumerable Christians over the 
whole earth ! In spite of the rage of tyrants for 
three hundred years, the noblest and most learned 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 



481 



men joyfully declare themselves the followers of 
Jesus Christ crucified, and confess, with the sacri- 
fice of their blood, that the teaching of the twelve 
fishermen is true and divine. At length the time 
of persecution passes, and now emperors and 
kings, senators and pagan high priests, whole king- 
doms and empires bow their heads before the cruci- 
fied Jesus, and believing in the unfathomable mys- 
teries of his religion. And such a religion ! a reli- 
gion which preaches a crucified God, and which 
commands its disciples to crucify the flesh and all 
its lusts; a religion that threatens with a terrible 
and eternal fire ; a religion which names itself the 
only true and holy, the only saving religion ; a reli- 
gion which commands us to love our enemies, and 
requires the entire subjection of^the understanding. 
And yet all bend their proud intellects and believe. 
Certainly all this can only be the work of the omni- 
potent God ; it could not be done if Jesus were not 
in truth a God-Man ; this must be the work of the 
Holy Ghost, of a God in three persons. This reli- 
gion must be the one true, holy, saving religion ! 

How blinded then are those proud men of our time, 
who venture to doubt a religion, which God has con- 
firmed by so many prophecies and miracles, which 
has triumphed so wonderfully over a hostile world, 
which so many illustrious martyrs have sealed with 
their blood, which so many powerful minds have 
maintained, so many princes and distinguished men 
for so many ages have received, and which so many 
nations and heroes have defended with their life ! 

Surely, the truth of the Christian religion is clear 
enough ! One is forced to exclaim with the royal 
Prophet, David, (Ps. 92.) : "Thy testimonies, God! 
41 



482 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



are become exceedingly credible? But although the 
light of our holy faith shines clearer than the sun, 
yet that same faith remains dart for those who judge 
of divine things according to their low passions and 
carnal minds. Therefore the Holy Scriptures say : 
"The sensual man perceiveth not the things that are 
of the Spirit of God ; for it is foolishness to him, 
and Ite cannot understand '." (1 Cor. ii. 14.) 

IV. The Infallible "Word of God is the only 
True Ground of Faith. 

Man, who is of the earth, can never, by the sole 
power of his own understanding, comprehend that 
which is heavenly. Therefore does the holy Apostle, 
St. Paul, call Faitfy a gift of God, because it is never 
attained through mere science or books, or by any 
long and deep search for it. Faith is a light, because 
it shows us with infallible clearness the truths which 
God has revealed to us. It is a supernatural light, 
because no one can come to the possession of faith 
by any mere natural effort of his own, neither by 
study nor reading, nor conversation with even the 
wisest of men, nor by disputes concerning religion. 
The reason of this is, because faith embraces truths 
which surpass the highest powers of our intellects, as 
far as heaven is raised above the earth, and therefore 
we can believe these truths on no other ground 
whatever, than simply because they are revealed by 
God Himself, whose words are always true, whether 
we understand them or not. 

Those who believe only so much of religion as 
they find clear and suitable to their own compre- 
hension, and those who believe only in a printed 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 483 

book, or who follow the teaching of some man who 
pleases them best — such persons have no true, saving 
faith' — no faith pleasing to God, because they do not 
believe upon the only true grounds of a true faith, 
namely: because the eternal Truth, the infallible 
God himself, has spoken. But how can I know for 
certain what God has, and what he has not re- 
vealed? 

■V. The true Faith is that which St. Peter 
AND THE OTHER APOSTLES TAUGHT. 

I am sure that God speaks to me when I listen to 
those whom God has appointed for me to hear. In 
the first ages of the world God spoke to men 
through the Patriarchs, and after them through 
Moses and the Prophets; but when the appointed 
time had come, he spoke to us through his own and 
only begotten Son Jesus Christ, whom he appointed 
heir of all things, and by whom he created the 
world. Having sent this Son into the world, he gave 
him the clearest testimonials to his divine mission, 
once even speaking in a loud voice from a cloud of 
heaven, and saying : " This is my beloved Son, hear 
ye him." When the time came that our Lord 
Jesus Christ must return again to heaven, he left in 
his place, as teachers of the true faith, St. Peter and 
the other Apostles, who had been his most intimate 
friends and disciples. And this is the divine com- 
mission which he gave them : "I will not leave you 
orphans, he said ; / will send you a comforter, the 
Holy Ghost, and he will teach you all things. Go, 
therefore, and teach all nations, and baptize them in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 



484 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



Holy Ghost Teach them to observe every thing 
which I have commanded you? And that they 
might not be discouraged, he promised that he him- 
self would always assist them so that their doc- 
trine should prevail and never be lost until the 
end of time. "Behold I a m with you all days, even 
unto the consummation of the world? He gave 
them also very great power and authority, and 
threatened to punish in hell all those who would not 
believe their doctrine and follow it, saying : "He 
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he 
that believeth not shall be condemned. Receive the 
Holy Ghost ; whose sins you shall forgive they are 
forgiven, and whose sins you shall retain they are re- 
tained. He that heareth you heareth me ; he that 
despiseth you despiseth me. As the Father hath sent 
me, so I send you." And to Peter, in particular, he 
said : " Thou art Peter (that is, a rock), and upon 
this rock will I build my church, and the gates of hell 
shall not prevail against it ; and I will give to thee 
the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and ivhatsoever 
thou shall bind upon earth shall be bound also in 
heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth it 
shall be loosed also in heaven ; feed my lambs, feed 
my sheep? And then, again, he said to all of them : 
"By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, 
if you love one another, as I have loved you? And 
then he prayed for them to his heavenly Father, and 
said: "Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth; 
as thou hast sent me into the world, I have also sent 
them into the world. And not for them only do I 
pray, but for those also who through their word shall 
believe in me, that they may all be one, as thou, 
Father, in me, and. I in thee, that they also may be 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 485 



one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast 
sent me. And the glory that thou hast given me, I 
have given to them, that they may be one, as we also 
are one? (St. Matt. x. 40, xvi. 18 ; St. John, xiv. 
16, xvii.; St. Mark, xvi. 15.) 

How blind and wicked must that man be, who 
does not perceive in these clear and forcible words of 
Jesus Christ, that our Lord, before he left us, com- 
municated his own power to his twelve faithful 
Apostles ; that he conferred this power in a very- 
marked and special manner upon St. Peter, and 
instituted him in his place as the Chief Pastor of all 
his sheep. That, furthermore, it was his will, and for 
this he prayed to his heavenly Father, that the same 
twelve Apostles should continue united to each other, 
in truth and love, and that all those who through 
them should believe in him, should continue in- 
separably united together under their ministry, and 
so form on earth a true spiritual kingdom of God, 
which, guided always by the Holy Ghost, should be 
perpetuated until the end of the world. Who does 
not discover, also, the infallibility of this Church in 
that solemn promise of Jesus Christ to remain with 
it himself until the end of the world, and that even 
the gates of hell should not prevail against it ? This 
spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ is called in the 
Holy Scriptures the Church of God, of which Jesus 
Christ himself says: "Whosoever hears not the 
Church, let him be to thee as a heathen, and a pub- 
lican? It is this same Church which the Apostle 
calls " the pillar and ground of the truth." 



486 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



VI. The true Faith is that which is taught by 
the Pope of Rome and the Catholic Bishops. 

If the kingdom of Jesus Christ, which he has es- 
tablished by his blood, is to continue triumphant 
against the gates of hell, even to the end of days, 
then it must now, in the nineteenth century, be ex- 
actly the same kingdom as that which he established 
1800 years ago. It must also now, in the nineteenth 
century, have true successors of the Apostles of Jesus 
Christ, and the true successors of St. Peter ; and it 
must also remain now in the unity of truth and love, 
as unchangeably beautiful and infallible, as it was 
when our Lord Jesus Christ established it upon the 
earth ; else, how could those words be true : "Be- 
hold I am with you all days, even to the consumma- 
tion of the world ?" 

But of all the spiritual kingdoms or Churches 
upon earth, there is only one that can boast of pos- 
sessing the true successors of Jesus Christ, and also 
a true successor to St. Peter. That one is the 
Roman Catholic Apostolic Church. For, where did 
Peter, that "rock" of the Church, live, teach, and 
pour out his blood, but in Rome ? Where repose the 
holy ashes of this prince of the Apostles of Jesus 
Christ, but in Rome ? Where is now to be found this 
rock, whereon the Church is built, this successor of 
St. Peter, to whom were given the keys of heaven ? 
Nowhere but in Rome ! 

History, too, shows clearly how the whole body of 
orthodox Christians united never held any but the 
Bishop of Rome as the true successor of St. Peter. 
Yet, during the lifetime of St. John the Evangelist, 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 487 



St. Clement, the third successor of St. Peter in the 
Apostolic See at Rome, composed the differences of 
the Corinthian Christians, when St. John the Evan- 
gelist was still at Ephesus. These differences could, 
however, have been easily settled by St. John him- 
self, who governed the Church of Asia. St. Clement, 
the Bishop of Rome, was therefore the man whom 
they acknowledged as the true successor of St. Peter, 
and supreme head of the whole united Christian 
Church. 

As for the earliest successors of the Apostles in 
their Christian ministry, we have the clearest and 
most authentic proofs, that in the most important 
affairs of the Church they always appealed for a final 
decision to the Bishop of Rome, as the true successor 
of St. Peter. St. Polycarp, the disciple of St. John, 
journeyed to Rome on account of a dispute with re- 
gard to the celebration of Easter. To the same 
authority St. James had recourse concerning im- 
portant affairs of the Church of Gaul. To the 
Bishop of Rome, in like manner, St. Cyprian, St. 
Athanasius, and St. Ch^ysostom addressed themselves. 
And who has not heard of the famous saying of St 
Augustine ? He says : "Rome has spoken, the contro- 
versy is ended." But this is not all. The most an- 
cient General Councils of the Church have received 
their sanction from Rome ; one among the earliest, 
the third, styles Celestine I., who was the Bishop of 
Rome, the u Father of the General Council." Yes, 
all the General Councils, all the holy Fathers of the 
whole of orthodox Christendom, agree in this, that 
in Rome the true successor of St. Peter has always 
his Apostolic throne, and that he is endowed with 



488 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



just the same power to govern the Church of God 
as St. Peter himself. 

These true successors of St. Peter have followed 
one another in an unbroken succession from the death 
of St. Peter even to the present Pope Pius IX. 

Never has this true succession been interrupted ; 
never has this holy Chair of Peter perished, not even 
in the stormiest times and amid the most violent 
revolutions of empires. No ! the more the spirit of 
the world, with all its power and cunning, the more 
the spirit of schism and heresy have arisen against 
this holy Chair of Peter, and threatened to over- 
throw it, only so much the more glorious and trium- 
phant has it appeared in all ages, that all the world 
might clearly see how surely the Lord Jesus Christ 
has founded his true Church on the rock of Peter. 
There it has stood, and will stand immovable until 
the end of the world, according to the promise which 
he made : " Thou art Peter, upon thee will I build 
my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it" 

In the same manner as the Bishops of Home (or 
Popes) are true successors of St. Peter, so are the 
other Catholic Bishops true successors of the other 
Apostles of Jesus Christ. For we read in the Holy 
Scripture itself, that even in the time of the Apos- 
tles, other pious men were appointed by them to the 
same Apostolic office. Thus they consecrated St. 
Paul and Barnabas to the Apostolic office, as told 
in the history of the Apostles, while they fasted 
and prayed, and laid their hands on them. St. Paul 
ordained St. Timothy and St. Titus to the Apostolic 
office by the laying on of hands ; and to the An- 
cients of the Church at Ephesus he said : " Take 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 489 



heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, wherein 
the Holy Ghost hath placed you Bishops, to rule the 
Church of God, which he hath purchased with his 
own bloods 

Just as the Apostles ordained and consecrated their 
successors, so did these in their turn consecrate and 
ordain other successors, who were named Bishops or 
Pastors ; and in this way a true succession of Apos- 
tles has been continued and preserved until the 
Bishops of our own times. 

Every open mind, then, which is candid and loves 
truth sincerely, can see where the true spiritual king- 
dom of Jesus Christ on earth is to be found ; that 
kingdom which our Lord and Master established in 
this world. For it is there where for eighteen hun- 
dred years the true successors of St. Peter and the 
true successors of the holy Apostles are to be found 
in an uninterrupted succession, and where they have 
ever remained united in the same spirit of faith and 
charity for eighteen hundred years — that same 
spirit which held united the first Apostles of Jesus 
Christ with St. Peter in one holy and sacred society. 
"Where then, in our days, shall we look for this old 
and venerable Church of Christ ? Who does not 
perceive at once, that all the world over, since the 
foundation of the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ, 
the Roman Catholic Church is that one which holds 
ever to the Pope or Bishop of Rome as the true 
successor of St. Peter, and to the other Bishops as 
true successors of the other holy Apostles, these 
Catholic Bishops continuing always united with the 
Pope of Rome, by the same holy bond of faith and 
charity which united the holy Apostles with St. 
Peter. Yes, this sacred bond which holds all these 



490 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



Bishops in catholic union with the Chief Bishop of 
them all, is the most beautiful, the surest, and 
brightest mark by which we may distinguish the 
true kingdom of Jesus Christ, his holy Church. 
Such was the meaning of Jesus Christ when he said 
to his Apostles : " By this shall all men know that 
you are my disciples, if you have love one for an- 
other ;" and also when he said in a particular man- 
ner to Peter : " But I have prayed for thee that thy 
faith fail not ; confirm thy brethren ;" and also 
when he prayed to his Heavenly Father, as we have 
already seen, " That they may be one, as we are 
one." 

It is therefore quite evident that even a Bishop who 
is not united with the Pope and the other Bishops 
in faith and charity is justly regarded as a heretic or 
a schismatic, and in fact those Bishops alone have 
always been considered as true successors of the 
Apostles, who have remained united with the true 
successor of St. Peter, the Pope, in faith and charity ; 
all others have received the name of heretics and 
schismatics. 

All the Catholic Bishops, thus united with the 
Pope of Rome, form through this holy union only 
one holy society, which is called the "Apostolic 
Ministry," or the " Teaching Church" {Ecclesia Do- 
cens), of which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke when 
he said : "If any man will not hear the Church, let 
him be to thee as a heathen and a publican." " I 
am with you all days, even to the consummation of 
the world" " He that heareth you, heareth me ; he 
that despiseth you, despiseth me" It is this teach- 
ing Church of which St. Paul wrote that it is the 
pillar and ground of the truth, and that it is built on 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 491 



the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus 
Christ himself being the corner-stone. This Church 
is consequently the only one which men ought to 
hear ; she is infallible in her decisions and cannot 
deceive us, because the gates of hell can never pre- 
vail against her, and because Jesus Christ remains 
with her to the end of the world. Therefore that 
man only can be called a true Christian who listens 
to the infallible truth, to the pure doctrine of Jesus 
Christ, listens to Jesus Christ himself speaking ever 
through Peter and the Apostles, — who listens to the 
Pope of Rome and the Catholic Bishops united 
with him. He who thinks otherwise, or who teaches 
the contraiy is a heretic, because he despises the only 
true Apostolic ministry established by Jesus Christ 
himself. 

VII. In what way can every Catholic become 
acquainted with the true doctrines of the 
Apostles and of the Church ? 

The most simple catholic Christian hears either 
his Bishop himself, or some catholic Priest delegated 
by the Bishop, announce the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
If he hears his Bishop preach, he listens to him as 
one whom he knows to be united in faith and in 
charity with the head of the Church, the Pope of 
Rome, and through him with all the other Catholic 
Bishops. He is certain, therefore, that what he hears 
from his Bishop are not the words and thoughts of 
a mere man, but the teaching of the true and infalli- 
ble Church, the very Gospel of Jesus Christ, When, 
again, a Catholic listens to the preaching of a Priest 
whom he knows to be in union with his Bishop, h<3 



492 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



is sure that he hears from his lips the doctrine of his 
Bishop, which is the doctrine of the Pope, and of all 
the Bishops in union with the Pope, and therefore 
the doctrine of the Church. 

If a catholic Priest should err in faith and preach 
errors, the catholic Christian is sure that the Bishop 
is watching over his flock, and will know how to 
deliver them from every wolf. But should the 
Catholic Bishop himself err, the catholic Christian 
knows, that the Pope of Rome, as the true successor 
of St. Peter, is ever watching with all the other 
Catholic Bishops, and ready to oppose at once any 
error in any quarter. In this way, in every parish 
and every diocese of the Catholic Church, each catho- 
lic Christian hears not the voice and doctrine of a 
fallible man, but the doctrine of the whole Church, 
the sure Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

In matters of Christian faith, the humblest Catho- 
lic is therefore as certain and confident as the wisest 
and most learned. He believes upon the authority 
of the same teacher, the Church, he relies upon the 
infallible word of God, that same living voice of the 
Apostolical Ministry, which for eighteen hundred 
years, in all places, in all parts, in all tongues and 
among all nations, has been sounding loudly through- 
out the world, and still sounds in every city, village, 
or hamlet, where a Catholic Bishop or Priest can 
be found. 

VIII. Things which a true Catholic Christian 

WILL NEVER BELIEVE. 

1. No sound Catholic, however simple he may be, 
is simple enough to believe in what is called an " in- 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 493 



visible Church" He understands that this is only 
an idea of the imagination, invented and cherished 
by some who call themselves the elect of God, and 
say they are enlightened by the Holy Ghost, but 
who in fact follow no guiding but their own, and will 
not submit to any authority, but that of the invisi- 
ble Church which each one keeps and carries about 
in his own head. 

2. The simple Catholic Christian never rests his 
faith upon any book, even if it were the most learned 
possible, because he knows that it is the fallible word 
of man. If he believes the Bible, he believes it only 
because this is a holy, a divine book, dictated by the 
Holy Ghost, and because he is assured by the living 
and infallible Church that this book is really the 
Word of God. The Catholic Christian, moreover, 
only receives that Bible from the hands of a Bishop 
or Priest of the Catholic Church, because he knows 
that they are united in faith and charity with the 
Pope of Rome and the other Catholic Bishops. He 
trusts no other, even if it has a Catholic title and is 
beautifully printed, for he knows only too well, that 
ot every thing is true because it is printed or be- 
cause many others think it so, and that even the 
Bible may be altered and corrupted by the wicked. 
What however he knows to be the true uncorrupted 
Bible, the true written word of God, — this the good 
Catholic Christian esteems and reverences with his 
whole heart, although he does not trust himself to 
explain and interpret what he reads in it, and ima- 
gine that he can understand it by himself. He knows 
only too well, that what is contained in the Holy 
Bible is no word of man, but the word of the living 
God himself, and that for this reason no man has 
42 



494 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



the right to interpret and explain the Holy Bible in 
his own way, according to his own mind, since Jesns 
Christ speaks to the Catholic Church by her Bishops 
and their associates, the Catholic Priests. It was to 
them alone he said, " Go, teach all nations." 

3. For the same reason the true Catholic does 
not trust to his own reason and judgment in matters 
of faith, however learned he may be ; he does not 
rely upon his own views, or his own talents, be they 
ever so brilliant. He is equally unwilling to put 
confidence in any teacher who is not sent by the one 
true Church of God ; neither does he allow himself 
to be led away by those men who pass for something 
among the weak-minded, because they talk louder 
than others, know how to make a show of argument 
or of wit, and in this way try to throw ridicule upon 
holy things. No, the true Catholic Christian is per- 
fectly confident that he has the only true faith of the 
living God, and therefore avoids the company of the 
godless, and despises their wisdom, which in the eye 
of God is folly. 

The true Catholic Christian then does not trust to 
the vain words of men, nor to false teachers, nor his 
own understanding, nor to a mere book, nor to the 
so-called inner light, but he believes in the Holy 
Ghost alone, who dwells in the Catholic Church of 
Christ, and speaks to him through her Pope, and 
Bishops, and Priests. 

This is the true foundation of Christian faith, and 
it is possessed alone by the Catholic, who is able to 
show a true, firm ground for his faith ; hence no 
faith is wiser or more reasonable than the faith of a 
Catholic Christian. And whoever lays any other 
foundation, a,nd builds not thus upon the Apostles, 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 495 



upon the true corner-stone, Jesus Christ, has a false 
faith and a false doctrine which Jesus Christ never 
taught, and which the Apostles never preached. 
He is heretical and blind, sitting in the shadow of 
death, and shut out from the kingdom of Jesus 
Christ ; for the truth alone can save, but error leads 
to destruction ! 

IX. The Catholic Faith is the only saving 
Faith. 

Jesus Christ alone is the Way, the Truth, and the 
Life ; and St Peter teaches that it is only in Him that 
we can find salvation. Jesus Christ himself threatens 
with eternal damnation those who will not believe 
his Church ; for just before his ascension into heaven, 
he says to the Apostles : " Go ye into the whole 
world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He 
that believcth, and is baptized, shall be saved ; but 
he that believeth not, sliall be condemned" He who 
does not believe the Apostles, does not believe Jesus 
Christ ; he makes Jesus Christ a liar ; he divides 
Jesus Christ, since he does not believe his whole 
doctrine, nor believe the word of his Apostles, and 
their true successors, nor believe in the true Church 
of Jesus Christ. Hence he is a real enemy of Jesus 
Christ, and, according to the declaration of St. John 
the Evangelist, a true Anti-christ, who has no part 
in eternal life, and is already judged, because he 
does not truly believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the 
living God, although announced to him by his true 
heralds. As the holy Catholic faith is the only true 
faith, so it is also the only saving faith. Wherefore 
the great St. Cyprian says : " They (heretics and 



496 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



schismatics) may burn in fire and flames for their 
religion, they may be thrown to the wild beasts 
they may be slain, but they will not be crowned. 
The holy Church is the body of Christ ; he who is 
cut off from the body, has no longer any life. He 
cannot have God for his Father, who has not the 
Church for a mother." — (St. Cyp., Unity of the 
Church.) 

X. Refutation of certain Errors of our Time. 

It must appear clear and plain to any one who 
has read what we have already said, carefully, with 
an honest mind and without prejudice, how false, 
godless, and ruinous are those principles of liberty 
and liberality (so called) of our time, widely diffused 
as they are, even among the most simple and un- 
educated class of men. 

How foolish and wicked is it for one to say : " If 
I only act according to my conscience, it is no mat- 
ter whether I am a Christian or a Turk, a Catholic 
or a Protestant." How foolish and wicked it is for 
one to say : " I can be a good man in any religion, 
and be saved too in any religion." " Every one must 
be left to believe what he likes." How foolish and 
wicked is it for one to complain, and to say : " If 
there is only one faith which can save us, then most 
men must be damned." What will they prove by 
this ? Does the Church teach that any one will be 
damned who is innocent ? How false and godless is 
it for a man to say : " Every one should remain in 
the faith in which he was born. I don't like to see 
one change his religion." 

O the godlessness and blindness of our time, which, 



FAITH AND THE CHURCH. 497 

corrupted by Satan, the father of lies, is bold enough 
to utter such blasphemies ! Is it not making the 
Apostles of Jesus Christ, and even Jesus Christ him- 
self a liar, to say that all religions are the same, and 
that one can save us as well as another, when the 
Apostles of Jesus Christ received the command from 
their Lord himself, to preach to all nations the one 
Christian faith, and when these holy Apostles dis- 
persed themselves throughout all parts of the world 
in order to unite all nations, Jews and Heathens, in 
one holy faith, namely, the faith of Jesus the cruci- 
fied ? Wherefore did the holy Apostles, wherefore 
did the millions of Martyrs pour out their precious 
blood, if it were all one and the same thino- what a 
man's faith is ? Were the Apostles deceived, when 
they changed from Jews to Christians ; were they 
still more wrong when they preached to other Jews 
and to the Heathen to change their faith for the one 
faith of Jesus crucified, — when they themselves 
avoided and directed others to avoid all fellowship 
with heretics, — and when even they threatened the 
Jews and Heathens with eternal fire, if they did not 
quit the faith in which they were born, and embrace 
the faith of Jesus Christ ? 

The Apostles of Jesus Christ were deeply pene- 
trated by the truth that there was only one saving 
faith. Were they wrong ? 

XI. Exhortation to Perseverance in the 
Catholic Faith. 

Dear Christian Brethren, do not be deceived by 
all the fine discourses of these false sages of our 
days, whose words are soft and full of honey, but 
42* 



498 



SPIRITUAL READING. 



poisonous and fatal to the heart which receives them. 
u Try these spirits" so I say to you with the Apostle 
St. John, try these spirits whether they be of God, 
for many false prophets are gone out into the world? 
Hold fast to that Church which is visible, one, holy, 
Apostolical, Catholic, and Roman. You are per- 
suaded now, that she is the only true, the only saving 
Church, which can never lead you astray, because 
the Holy Ghost rules it, and together with Jesus 
Christ remains with it, even unto the consummation 
of the w T orld. Be firm, be constant, and as Jesus 
your Master warns you in the Apocalypse : " Hold 
fast that thou hast, that no man take thy crown? 

Yes, O my Lord, I hear thy voice, and I promise 
to remain until my last breath a faithful child of thy 
true and spotless Bride The Holy, Roman Catholic 
Church. Amen ! 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



COME, HOLY GHOST. 

Come, Holy Ghost, and through each heart 
In thy full flood of glory pour ; 

Who, with the Son and Father, art 
One Godhead blest for evermore. 

So shall voice, mind, and strength conspire 
Thy praise eternal to resound ; 

So shall our hearts be set on fire, 
And kindle every heart around. 

Father of mercies ! hear our cry ; 

Hear us, sole-begotten Son ! 
Who with the Holy Ghost most high, 

Reignest while endless ages run. 



MORNING HYMN. 

Now with the rising golden dawn, 
Let us, the children of the day, 

Cast off the darkness which so long 
Has led our guilty souls astray. 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



0, may the morn so pure, so clear, 
Its own sweet calm in us instill ; 

A guileless mind, a heart sincere, 
Simplicity of word and will : 

And ever, as the day glides by, 
May we the busy senses rein ; 

Keep guard upon the hand and eye, 
Nor let the body suffer stain. 

For all day long, on Heaven's high tower, 
There stands a Sentinel, who spies 

Our every action, hour by hour, 
From early dawn till daylight dies. 

To God the Father glory be, 
And to his sole-begotten Son ; 

The same, Holy Ghost ! to Thee, 
While everlasting ages run. 



EVENING HYMN. 

Now with the fast-departing light, 
Maker of all ! we ask of Thee, 

Of thy great mercy, through the night 
Our guardian and defence to be. 

Far off let idle visions fly ; 

No phantom of the night molest : 
Curb thou our raging enemy, 

That we in chaste repose may rest. 



JUDGMENT HYMN. 



503 



Father of mercies ! hear our cry ; 

Hear us, O sole-begotten Son ! 
Who, with the Holy Ghost most High, 

Reignest while endless ages run. 



JUDGMENT HYMN. 

Lo ! He comes with clouds descending, 

Once for favor'd sinners slain : 
Thousand — thousand saints attending, 

Swell the triumph of his train : 

Alleluia ! Alleluia ! 

Jesus Christ shall ever reign ! 

See the universe in motion, 

Sinking on her funeral pyre, — 
Earth dissolving, and the ocean 

Vanishing in final fire : — 

Hark, the trumpet ! Hark, the trumpet ! 

Loud proclaims the Day of Ire ! 

Graves have yawn'd in countless numbers — 
From the dust the dead arise : 

Millions, out of silent slumbers, 
Wake in overwhelm'd surprise ; 
Where creation, — Where creation, 
Wreck'd and torn in ruin lies ! 

See the Judge our nature wearing, 

Pure, ineffable, divined 
See the great Archangel bearing 

High in heaven the mystic sign : 

Cross of Glory ! Cross of Glory ! 

Christ be in that moment mine ! 



504 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



See Redemption,* long expected, 
In transcendent pomp appear, — 

All his saints, by man rejected, 
Throng in gathering legions near : 
Melt, ye mountains ! Melt, ye mountains ! 
Into smoke, — for God is here ! 

Every eye shall then behold Him 

Robed in awful majesty : — 
Those that set at naught, and sold Him, 

Pierced and naiPd Him to a tree, — 

Deeply wailing, — Deeply wailing, 

Shall the true Messiah see ! 

Lo ! the last long separation ! 

As the cleaving clouds divide ; 
And one dread adjudication 

Sends each soul to either side ! 

Lord of mercy ! Lord of mercy 1 

How shall I that day abide ! 

Oh ! may thine own Bride and Spirit 

Then avert a dreadful doom, — 
And me summon to inherit 

An eternal blissful home : — 

Ah ! come quickly ! Ah ! come quickly ! 

Let thy second Advent come ! 

Yea, Amen ! Let all adore Thee 
On thine amaranthine throne ! 

Saviour, — take the power and glory, 
Claim the kingdom for thine own ! 
Men and angels, — Men and angels, 
Kneel and bow to Thee alone ! 

* Romans, viii. 23. 



HYMN OF THE PASSION. 505 



HYMN OF THE PASSION. 

O'erwhelm'd in depths of woe, 

Upon the Tree of Scorn 
Hangs the Redeemer of mankind, 

"With racking anguish torn. 

See ! how the nails those hands 

And feet so tender rend ; 
See ! down his face, and neck, and breast, 

His sacred Blood descend. 

Hark ! with what awful cry 

His Spiiit takes its flight ; 
That cry, it pierced his Mother's heart., 

And whelm'd her soul in night. 

Earth hears, and to its base 

Rocks wildly to and fro ; 
Tombs burst ; seas, rivers, mountains quake 

The veil is rent in two. 

The sun withdraws his light ; 

The midday heavens grow pale ; 
The moon, the stars, the universe, 

Their Maker's death bewail. 

Shall man alone be mute ? 

Come, youth ! and hoary hairs ! 
Come, rich and poor ! come, all mankind ! 

And bathe those feet in tears. 

Come ! fall before His Cross, 

"Who shed for us his blood ; 
Who died the victim of pure love, 

To make us sons of God. 

43 



506 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



Jesu ! all praise to Thee, 

Our joy and endless rest ! 
Be Thou our guide while pilgrims here, 

Our crown amid the blest. 



JESUS CRUCIFIED. 

come and mourn with me awhile ; 

See, Mary calls us to her side ; 
O come and let us mourn with her, — 

Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

Have we no tears to shed for Him, 
While soldiers scoff and Jews deride ? 

Ah ! look how patiently he hangs, — 
Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

How fast his Hands and Feet are nail'd ; 

His blessed Tongue with thirst is tied, 
His failing Eyes are blind with blood, — 

Jesus, our Love, is crucified! 

His Mother cannot reach his Face ; 

She stands in helplessness beside, 
Her heart is martyr'd with her Son's, — 

Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

Seven times He spoke, seven words of love, 
.And all three hours his silence cried 

For mercy on the souls of men : — 
Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 



JESUS CRUCIFIED. 



507 



What was thy crime, my dearest Lord ? 

By earth, by heaven, Thou hast been tried, 
And guilty found of too much love ; — 

Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

Found guilty of excess of love, 

It was thine own sweet will that tied 

Thee tighter far than helpless nails ; — 
Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

Death came, and Jesus meekly bow'd ; 

His falling eyes he strove to guide 
With mindful love to Mary's face ; — 

Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

break, break, hard heart of mine ! 

Thy weak self-love and guilty pride 
His Pilate and His Judas were ; — 

Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

Come, take thy stand beneath the Cross, 
And let the blood from out that Side 

Fall gently on thee drop by drop ; — 
Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

A broken heart, a fount of tears, — 
Ask, and they will not be denied ; 

A broken heart love's cradle is ; — 
Jesus, our Love, is crucified ! 

Love of God ! Sin of Man ! 

In this dread act your strength is tried ; 
And victory remains with love, 

For He, our Love, is crucified ! 



508 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



ROCK OF AGES. 

Rock of ages, rent for me, 
Let me hide myself in Thee ; 
Let the water and the blood, 
From thy riven side which flow'd, 
Be of sin the double cure ; 
Cleanse me from its guilt and power. 

Nothing in my hand I bring, 
Simply to the Cross I cling ; 
Naked come to thee for dress, 
Helpless look to Thee for grace, 
Foul I to the fountain fly ; 
"Wash me, Saviour, or I die. 

While I draw this fleeting breath, 
When my eyelids fold in death, 
When I soar to worlds unknown, 
See Thee on thy judgment-throne ; 
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide myself in Thee. 



JESUS, I MY CROSS HAVE TAKEN. 

Jesus, — I my cross have taken, 

All to leave and follow Thee ; 
I am poor, despised, forsaken, — 

Thou henceforth my all shalt be : 
Perish every fond ambition, — 

All I've sought, or hoped, or known ; 
Yet how rich is my condition, — 

God and heaven may be mine own ! 



JESUS, I MY CROSS. 



509 



Let the world despise and leave me, 

It has left my Saviour too ; 
Human hearts and looks deceive me, 

Thou art not like them untrue : 
Whilst thy graces shall adorn me, 

God of wisdom, love, and might, — 
Foes may hate, and friends may scorn me ; — 

Show thy face, and all is bright. 

Go then, earthly fame and treasure, 

Come disaster, scorn, and pain ; 
In thy service, pain is pleasure, — 

With thy favor, loss is gain. 
I have called Thee : Abba ! Father ! 

I have set my heart on Thee : 
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, 

All will work for good to me. 

Man may trouble and distress me, 

'Twill but drive me to thy breast ; 
Life with trials hard may press me ; 

Heaven will bring me sweeter rest. 
Oh, 'tis not in gnef to harm me, 

While thy love is left to me ; — 
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me, 

Were that joy unmix'd with thee ! 

Soul, — then know thy full salvation, 

Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care ; 
Joy to find in every station, 

Something still to do or bear. 
Think what spirit dwells within thee, 

Think what sacraments are thine ; 
Think that Jesus died to wid thee : 

Child of heaven, canst thou repine ! 
43* 



510 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



Haste thee on from grace to glory, 

Arm'd with faith, and wing'd with prayer, — 
An eternal day before thee 

Waits for God to guide thee there. 
Soon shall close thine earthly mission, 

Patience shall thy spirit raise ; 
Hope shall change to glad fruition, 

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise ! 



viva gesu! 

Hail, Jesus ! Hail ! who for my sake 
Sweet Blood from Mary's womb didst take, 

And shed it all for me ; 
O blessed be my Saviour's Blood, 
My life, my light, my only good, 

To all eternity. 

To endless ages let us praise 

The Precious Blood whose price could raise 

The world from wrath and sin ; 
Whose streams our inward thirst appease, 
And heal the sinner's worst disease, 

If he but bathe therein. 

O sweetest Blood, that can implore 
Pardon of God, and heaven restore, 

The heaven which sin had lost : 
While Abel's blood for vengeance pleads, 
What Jesus sheds still intercedes 

For those who wrong Him most. 



JESU DULCIS MEMOEIA. 



to be sprinkled from the wells 
Of Christ's own sacred Blood, excels 

Earth's best and highest bliss : 
The ministers of wrath divine 
Hurt not the happy hearts that shine 

With those red drops of His ! 

Ah ! there is joy amid the Saints, 
And hell's despairing courage faints 

When this sweet song we raise : 
louder then, and louder still, 
Earth with one mighty chorus fill, 

The Precious Blood to praise ! 



JESU DULCIS MEMORIA. 

Jesus ! the only thought of Thee 
With swee tress fills my breast ; 

But sweeter far thy face to see, 
And in thy presence rest. 

No voice can sing, no heart can frame, 

Nor can the memory find 
A sweeter sound than thy blest name, 

O Saviour of mankind ! 

O hope of every contrite heart, 

O joy of all the meek, 
To those who fall, how kind thou art ! 
How good to those who seek ! 



512 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



But what to those who find ? ah ! this 
Nor tongue nor pen can show : 

The love of Jesus, what it is, 
None but his loved ones know. 

Jesus ! our only joy be Thou, 
As Thou our prize wilt be ; 

Jesus ! be Thou our glory now, 
And through eternity. 



THE MEMORARE. 

Remember well, Mother dear, 
That none have had recourse to thee 
Whose voice of prayer thou didst not hear ; 
then to-day propitious be ! 

The chronicles of every age the tale repeat, 
How every hour hath seen thy children at thy feet ; 
While thou hast shared their joy, or soothed their 
every pain, 

Shall we the first of all invoke thy name in vain ? 
Remember well, &c. 



MAGNIFICAT. 

Magnificat ! Inspired word, 
From Mary's raptured bosom pour'd ! 
My soul, with Mary bless the Lord. 
Magnificat ! 



MAGNIFICAT. 



Magnificat ! whence is this, 
That God should heed my littleness? 
Henceforward, all my name shall bless. 
Magnificat ! 

Magnificat ! Praise God alone, 
The mercy of my Saviour own : 
For He hath mighty wonders done. 
Magnificat ! 

Magnificat ! His wondrous grace 
Is manifest from race to race 
Of them who fear before His face. 
Magnificat ! 

Magnificat ! He hath brought down 
The proud man from his lofty throne, 
And lifted up the humble one. 
Magnificat ! 
» 

Magnificat ! Grace for the Poor ! 
The Poor who plead at Mercy's door: 
The scornful rich shall have no more. 
Magnificat ! 

Magnificat ! In me behold 
Fulfill'd, the promises of old 
To Abraham and the Fathers told. 
Magnificat ! 

Magnificat ! The Song of praise 
To Father, Son, and Spirit raise ! 
One God, throughout eternal days ! 
Magnificat ! 



514: 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



HAIL, HEAVENLY QUEEN. 

Hail, heavenly Queen ! hail, foamy ocean's star ! 
O be our guide, diffuse thy beams afar. 
Hail, Mother of God ! above all virgins blest ; 
Hail, happy gate of heaven's eternal rest. 

Hail, foamy ocean's star ! hail, heavenly Queen ! 

O be our guide to endless joys unseen. 

u Hail full of grace !" with Gabriel we repeat — 
Thee Queen of heaven, from him we learn to greet 
Then give us peace, which heaven alone can ^ive, 
And dead through Eve, through Mary let us live. 
Hail, &c. 

break our chains, our captive souls release, 
O give us light, and let our blindness cease ; 
Let every ill that presses on our heart 
Fly at thy voice, and every good impart 
Hail, &c. 

Thy children save, gracious mother hear, 
From moisten'd eyes, O deign to wipe the tear ; 
Thy prayers, for us to God, thy Son, present, 
Whose life, and blood, to save mankind, were spent- 
Hail, &c. 

O Virgin meek, unmatch'd amongst mankind, 
In whom nor stain, nor blemish God did find, 
From Satan's chains our captive souls set free, 
Make us like thee — meek, chaste, and sinless be. 
Hail, <fcc. 



HY^TN TO ST. JOSEPH. 



515 



Our lives unstain'd, in purity preserve, 
Nor e'er permit our ways from truth to swerve, 
That, when our time has roll'd its rapid round, 
We may, with Christ, in heavenly bhss be crown'd. 
Hail, &c. 

Eternal praise to God, the Father, be, 
Eternal praise to Christ's dread majesty, 
And equal praise to God the Holy Ghost, 
Here, as above, amongst the heavenly host. 
Hail, &c. 



HYMN TO ST. JOSEPH. 

Hail ! holy Joseph, hail ! 

Husband of Mary, hail ! 
Chaste as the lily flower 

In Eden's peaceful vale. 

Hail ! holy Joseph, hail ! 

Father of Christ esteem'd ! 
Father be thou to those 

Thy Foster-Son redeem'd. 

Hail ! holy Joseph, hail ! 

Prince of the house of God, 
May his best graces be 

By thy sweet hands bestow'd. 

Hail ! holy Joseph, hail ! 

Comrade of angels, hail ! 
Cheer thou the hearts that faint, 

And guide the steps that fail. , 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



Hail ! holy Joseph, hail ! 

God's choice wert thou alone ; 
To thee the Word made flesh 

Was subject as a Son. 

Hail ! holy J oseph, hail ! 

Teach us our flesh to tame, 
And, Mary, keep the hearts 

That love thy husband's name. 

Mother of Jesus ! bless, 

And bless, ye Saints on high, 
All meek and simple souls 

That to Saint Joseph cry. 



THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. 

Dear Angel ! ever at my side, 

How loving must thou be 
To leave thy home in Heaven to guide 

A little child like me. 

Thy beautiful and shining face 

I see not, though so near ; 
The sweetness of thy soft low voice 

I am too deaf to hear. 

I cannot feel thee touch my hand 
With pressure light and mild, 

To check me, as my mother did 
When I was but a child. 



THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. 



But I have felt thee in my thoughts 

Fighting with sin for me ; 
And when my heart loves God, I know 
The sweetness is from thee. 

And when, dear Spirit ! I kneel down 
Morning and night to prayer, 

Something there is within my heart 
Which tells me thou art there. 

Yes ! when I pray thou prayest too— 

Thy prayer is all for me ; 
But when I sleep, thou sleepest not, 

But watchest patiently. 

But most of all I feel thee near, 
When, from the good priest's feet, 

I go absolved, in fearless love, 
Fresh toils and cares to meet. 

And thou in life's last hour wilt bring 

A fresh supply of grace, 
And afterwards wilt let me kiss 

Thy beautiful bright face. 

Ah me ! how lovely they must be 

Whom God has glorified ; 
Yet one of them, O sweetest thought ! 

Is ever at my side. 

Then for thy sake, dear Angel ! now 

More humble will I be : 
But I am weak, and when I fall, 
O weaiy not for me : 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



O weary not, but love me still, 
For Mary's sake thy Queen ; 

She never tired of me, though I 
Her worst of sons have been. 

She will reward thee with a smile ; 

Thou know'st what it is worth ! 
For Mary's smiles each day convert 

The hardest hearts on earth. 

Then love me, love me, Angel dear ! 

And I will love thee more ; 
And help me when my soul is cast 

Upon the eternal shore. 



JERUSALEM. 



Jerusalem, my happy home, 

How do I sigh for thee ! 
"When shall my exile have an end, 
Thy joys when shall I see ! 
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 
Jerusalem, my happy home, 
How do I sigh for thee ! 

No sun, no moon, in borrow'd light, 

Revolve thine hours away ; 
The Lamb on Calvary's mountain slain, 

Is thy eternal day. 
Jerusalem, &c. 



BEFOEE COMMUNION. 



From every eye He wipes trie tear, 

All sighs and sorrows cease ; 
No more alternate hope or fear, 

But everlasting peace. Jerusalem, &c. 

The thought of thee to us is given, 

Our sorrows to beguile ; 
V anticipate the bliss of heaven, 

In His eternal smile. Jerusalem, &c. 



BEFORE COMMUNION. 

My God, my life, my love, 
To Thee, to Thee I call; 

come to me from heaven above, 
And be my God, my All. 

My faith beholds Thee, Lord ! 

Conceal'd in human food ; 
My senses fail, but in thy word 

I trust, and find my God. 

O when wilt Thou be mine, 
Sweet lover of my soul ! 

My Jesus dear, my king divine, 
Come o'er my heart to rule. 

! come and fix thy throne 
Within my very heart ; 

O ! make it burn for Thee alone, 
And from me ne'er depart. 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



Begone ye, from my mind, 
Vain, childish, earthly toys ; 

In Jesus, only, do I find 
True pleasures, solid joys. 



AFTER COMMUNION. 

What happiness can equal mine? 

I've found the object of my love — 
My Jesus dear — my King divine, 

Is come to me from heaven above ! 
He chose my heart for his abode ; 

There He becomes my daily bread ; 
There on me flows his healing blood, 

There, with his flesh, my soul is fed. 

I am my Love's, and He is mine ; 

In me He dwells ; in Him I live ; 
What greater gifts could love combine ? 

What greater could e'en heaven give ? 
sacred banquet, heavenly feast ! 

O overflowing source of grace ! 
Where God the food, and man the guest, 

Meet and unite in sweet embrace ! 



4FTER CONFIRMATION. 

Soldiers of Christ ! arise ! 

And put your armor on, 
Strong in the strength which God supplies 

Through his eternal Son ; 



CHRISTMAS HYMN. 



Strong is the Lord of hosts, 

And in his mighty power, 
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts, 

Is more than conqueror. 

Soldiers of Christ ! arise ! 

The God of armies calls 
Unto his mansions in the skies — 

His everlasting halls ; 
Behold ! the angel host appears 

To welcome you to bliss ; 
Oh ! what is earth, its sighs and tears, 

Its joys, compared to this ! 

Crush'd is the haughty foe, 

His might, his glory gone, 
But ye, w r ith victory crown'd, shalltgo 

To Christ's eternal throne. 
There shall the conqueror rest, 

And in that blest abode, 
Forever reign amid the blest, 

Triumphant with his God. 



CHRISTMAS HYMN. 

Depart awhile, each thought of care, 

Be earthly things forgotten all ; 
And speak, my soul, thy vesper prayer 

Obedient to that sacred call. 
For hark ! the pealing chorus swells ; 

Devotion chants the hymn of praise, 
And now of joy and hope it tells, 

Till fainting on the ear, it says — 
Gloria tibi, Domine, 
Domine ! Domine ! 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



Thine, wondrous babe of Galilee ! 

Fond theme of David's harp and song, 
Thine are the notes of minstrelsy — 

To thee its ransom'd chords belong. 
And hark 1 again the chorus swells, 

The song is wafted on the breeze, 
And to the listening earth it tells — 

In accents soft and sweet as these — 
Gloria tibi, Domine ! 

My heart doth feel that still He's near, 

To meet the soul in hours like this, 
Else — why, why, that falling tear ! 

When all is peace and love and bliss ! 
But hark ! that pealing chorus swells 

An$w, its thrilling vesper strain, 
And still of joy and hope it tells, 

And bids creation sing again — 
Gloria tibi, Domine ! 



ASCENSION-DAY. 

Rise — glorious Conqueror, rise, 
Into thy native skies, — 

Assume thy right : 
And where in many a fold 
The clouds are backward rolFd — 
Pass through those gates of gold, 

And reign in light ! 



FOR ASCENSION. 



Victor o'er death and hell ! 
Cherubic legions swell 

The radiant train : 
Praises all heaven inspire ; 
Each angel sweeps his lyre, 
And waves his wings of fire, — 

Thou Lamb once slain ! 

Enter, Incarnate God ! — 
No feet, but thine, have trod 

The serpent down : 
Blow the full trumpets, blow ! 
"Wider your portals throw ! 
Saviour — triumphant — go, 

And take thy crown ! 

lion of Judah — Hail ! — 
And let thy name prevail 

From age to age : 
Lord of the rolling years, — 
Claim for thine own the spheres, 
For Thou hast bought with tears 

Thy heritage ! 

Yet — who are these behind, 
In numbers more than mind 

Can count or say — 
Clothed in immortal stoles, 
Illumining the Poles — 
A galaxy of souls, 

La white array ? 

And then was heard afar 
Star answering to star — 



52£ 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



Lo ! these have come, 
Followers of Him, who gave 
His life, their lives to save ; 
And now their palms they wave 

Brought safely home. 

Oh Lord ! ascend thy throne ! 
For Thou shalt rule alone 

Beside thy Sire, 
With the great Paraclete, 
The Three in One complete — 
Before whose awful feet 

All foes expire ! 



WHIT-SUNDAY. 

Holy Spirit ! Lord of light 
From thy clear celestial height, 
Thy pure beaming radiance give : 

Come, Thou Father of the poor ! 
Come, with treasures which endure ! 
Come, thou Light of all that live ; 

Thou of all consolers best, 
Visiting the troubled breast, 
Dost refreshing peace bestow ; 

Thou in toil art comfort sweet ; 
Pleasant coolness in the heat ; 
Solace in the midst of woe. 



CORPUS CHRIST!. 



Light immortal ! light divine ! 
Visit Thou these hearts of thin#, 
And our inmost being fill : 

If thou take thy grace away, 
Nothing pure in man will stay ; 
All his good is turn'd to ill. 

Heal our wounds — our strength renew 
On our dryness pour thy dew ; 
Wash the stains of guilt away ; 

Bend the stubborn heart and will ; 
Melt the frozen, warm the chill ; 
Guide the steps that go astray. 

Thou, on those who evermore 
Thee confess and Thee adore, 
In thy sevenfold gifts, descend : 

Give them comfort when they die ; 
Give them life with Thee on high : 
Give them joys which never end. 



CORPUS CHRISTI. 

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory, 
Of his Flesh the mystery sing ; 

Of the Blood, all price exceeding, 
Shed by our immortal King, 

Destined, for the world's redemption, 
From a noble womb to spring. 



526 



CATHOLIC HYM^S 



Of a pure and spotless Virgin 

Born for us on earth below, 
He, as Man with man conversing, 

Stay'd the seeds of truth to sow ; 
Then He closed in solemn order 

Wondrously his life of woe. 

On the night of that Last Supper, 

Seated with his chosen band, 
He the Paschal victim eating, 

First fulfils the Law's command ; 
Then, as Food to all his brethren 

Gives Himself with his own hand. 

Word made Flesh, the bread of nature 
By his word to Flesh he turns ; 

Wine into His Blood he changes : — 
What though sense no change discerns ! 

Only be the heart in earnest, 
Faith her lesson quickly learns. 

Down in adoration falling, 
Lo ! the sacred Host we hail ; 

Lo ! o'er ancient forms departing, 
Newer rites of grace prevail ; 

Faith, for all defects supplying, 
Where the feeble senses fail. 

To the Everlasting Father, 

And the Son who reigns on high, 

With the Holy Ghost proceeding 
Forth from Each eternally, 

Be salvation, honor, blessing, 
Might, and endless majesty. 



TE DEUH LATJDAMFS. 



TE DEUM LAUDAMUS. 

Holy God, we praise thy Name ! 

Lord of all, we bow before Thee ! 
All on earth thy sceptre claim, 
All in Heaven above adore Thee : 
Infinite thy vast domain, 
Everlasting is thy reign. 

Hark ! the loud celestial hymn 

Angel choirs above are raising ! 
Cherubim and seraphim 

In unceasing chorus praising, 

Fill the heavens with sweet accord : 
Holy ! Holy ! Holy Lord ! 

Lo ! the Apostolic train 

Join, thy sacred name to hallow ! 
Prophets swell the loud refrain, 

And the white-robed Martyrs follow ; 
And from morn till set of sun, 
Through the church the song goes on. 

Holy Father, Holy Son, 

Holy Spirit, three we name Thee, 
While in essence, only One 

Undivided God, we claim Thee ; 
And adoring bend the knee, 
"While we own the msytery. 

Thou art King of Glory, Christ ! 
Son of God, yet bom of Mary, 



CATHOLIC HYMNS. 



For us sinners sacrificed, 
And to death a tributary : 

First to break the bars of death. 
Thou hast open'd Heaven to faith. 

From thy high celestial home, 

Judge of all, again returning, 
We believe that Thou shalt come, 
On the dreadful Doom's-day morning 
When thy voice shall shake the earth, 
And the startled Dead come forth. 

Spare thy people, Lord ! we pray, 

By a thousand snares surrounded : 
Keep us without sin to-day, 
Never let us be confounded. 
Lo ! I put my trust in Thee, 
Never, Lord, abandon me. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 



Abstinence, Days of 8 

Absolution, Of 313 

Acts of Faith, Hope, and' Charity 17, 18 

Act of Spiritual Communion 121 

Act of Regret, for one unworthy to receive 122 

Acts proper to suggest to the Sick and Dying 414 

Amendment, Firm purpose of 302 

Angels, On devotion to the 217 

" Litany of the 218 

Ange! Psalter 221 

Angel Guardian, Prayer to one's 222 

Aspirations for the sick 422 

Baptism, Of the Sacrament of 287 

" How to baptize in case of necessity 288 

Beads, Method of saving 183 

Catechism, The little 269 

Children, Duties of 384 

Children, Warning to 463 

Commandments of God 280 

Commandments of the Church 285 

Communion, explained in the Catechism 289 

Communion, Of the Holy 102 

" On preparation for 106 

" Prayers before 107 

" Of thanksgiving after 114 

" Prayers after 114 

11 Prayer of St. Ignatius after 428 

Of Spiritual 120 

Confession, explained in the Catechism 291 

Confession, Of (see Penance) 307 

" , What is it necessary to confess I , 308 

45 . 



530 ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 

Confession, Manner of making 310 

" How often one ought to make 318 

" Devotions preparatory to 91 

u Shorter exercises preparatory to 99 

Prayer after 101 

" Of General Confession 320 

Confirmation, explained in the Catechism 288 

Confiteor 32 

Contrition, explained in the Catechism 291 

Contrition, Of (see Sacrament of Penance) 302 

Contrition, Act of 292 

Day, How to pass it in a holy manner 19 

Dead, Mass for the 50 

Death, Meditation on 255 

Death of the sinner 451 

Delay of Conversion 447 

Disciple of Jesus 468 

Dying, Instruction for the 403 

u Various temptations of the 409 

* Last sighs of the 430 

" Recommendation of a parting soul 431 

Duties of particular states of life, Of the 366 

" Examination on these 339 

Enemies, Love of (Spiritual Reading) 459 

End of man, Meditation on the 247 

End, Importance of securing our 249 

Eternity (Spiritual Reading) 446 

Eternity of punishment, Meditation on the 263 

Eucharist, Explanation of the Sacrament 289 

" On devotion to the Blessed 123 

Evening Devotions 21 

Examination of Conscience, Daily 23 

" " " Instruction on 299 

" " « for General Confession. . 325 

Faith, Of the Catholic (Catechism) 270 

" and the Church (Spiritual Reading) 474 

" alone not sufficient 277 

Familiar lessons of piety for Spiritual Reading .... 441 

Fasting, Days of 7 

Father of a family, Duties of 371 

Festivals of obligation 7 

Gloria in Excelsis 33 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 531 

God, Perfections of (Catechism) 271 

" Love of (Spiritual Reading) 464 

Good Works, Of (Catechism) 278 

Grace and the Sacraments (Catechism) 286 

" Time of Grace (Spiritual Reading) 456 

Hail Mary 16 

Heaven (Spiritual Reading) . . 466 

Hell (Spiritual Reading) 261 

Holy Orders, Sacrament of (Catechism) 293 

Holy Trinity, Of the (Catechism) 273 

Hymns: Come, Holy Ghost 501 

Morning Hymn 501 

Evening Hymn 502 

Judgment Hymn 503 

Hymn of the Passion 505 

Jesus Crucified 506 

Rock of Ages 508 

Jesus, I my Cross 508 

Viva Gesu 510 

Jesu, dulces memoria 511 

Memorare 512 

Magnificat 512 

Hail, heavenly queen ! 514 

Hymn to St. Joseph 515 

The Guardian Angel 518 

Jerusalem, my happy home 518 

Before Communion 519 

After Communion 520 

After Confirmation 520 

Christmas Hymn 521 

For Ascension Day 522 

For Whit-Sunday 524 

For Corpus Christi 525 

Te Deum Laudamus 527 

Dies Irae 53 

Ave Maris Stella 79 

Alma Redemptoris Mater 82 

Ave Regina Coelorum 83 

Regina Coeli 85 

O Salutaris Hostia 88 

Tantum Ergo 89 

Impediments of Marriage 353 



532 ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 

Incarnation and Death of Christ 2*74 

Indulgence, what 292 

" for the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, 17 

for the Way of the Cross 147 

" for saying the Rosary 182 

" attached to the Scapular 202 

Jesus, The Litany of 143 

Joseph, Devotion to St 213 

" Devout prayers in honor of 214 

Judgment, Of the General and Particular 276 

Meditation on the Last 258 

Judgments of God (Spiritual Reading) 455 

Last Communion, or Viaticum 425 

Litany of Jesus 143 

" of the Blessed Virgin Mary 196 

" of the Saints 206 

« of the Holy Angels 218 

f* for a good death 228 

Lord's Prayer 15 

Matrimony, Sacrament of (Catechism) 293 

" Instruction on 347 

Marriage, Impediments of 353 

Bans of 360 

u Ceremony 362 

Married Persons, Duties of 366 

Magnificat 80 

Mass, Explained in the Catechism 289 

* Devotion at, Instruction 27 

" Prayers for 30 

" for the Dead 50 

Meals, Prayers before and after 20, 21 

Meditation, or Mental Prayer, Instruction •. . . . 241 

Meditations for every day in the week 247 

Memorare of St. Bernard (translated) 201 

" " " (in verse) 512 

Misery of Sin of 445 

Morning Devotion, On 12 

Morning Prayers 13 

Mother, Duties of a Christian 380 

Night Prayers 22 

Nuptial Blessing 364 

Order, Sacrament of (Catechism) 29* 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX. 533 

Parents and Heads of families, Duties of 371 

" Warning to (Spiritual Reading) 460 

44 An admonition to 269 

Penance, Sacrament of (Catechism) 290 

44 Instruction on ... • 294 

44 Effects of this Sacrament 296 

44 Satisfaction, or Works of 316 

" imposed in Confession 292 

Prayer, How to pray 11 

44 Ordinary Christian Prayers 279 

Psalms : Dixit Dominus 71 

Confitebor tibi, Domine 73 

BeatusVir 75 

Laudate pueri Dominum 76 

Laud ate Dominum 78 

De profundis 239 

Miserere 234 

Seven penitential Psalms 230 

Purgatory (Catechism) ^ 230 

44 On devotion to the Souls in 223 

44 Prayer for the Souls in. 225 

Redemption, Doctrine of (Catechism) 274 

Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary 181 

44 Method of saying the 183 

44 Another short and easy method 195 

Sacrament, On devotion to the Blessed 123 

Seven Sacraments explained (Catechism) 287 

Sacraments of the Sick, Instruction 424 

Sacrifice of the Mass (Catechism) 289 

Saints, On devotion to 205 

Salvation of the Soul (Spiritual Reading) 442 

Salve Regina 86 • 

Satisfaction, what (Catechism) 292 

" or Works of Penance 316 

Scapular, Instruction on the 201 

Sermon, Prayers before and after 69 

Servants, Duties of 387 

Sick and Dying, Manual for the 399 

" Instructions for the 399 

41 Instructions for those who attend 405 

41 Motives and Acts for 414 

44 Daily prayers for 420 

45* 



534 



ALPHABETICAL I3T#EX. 



Sick, Pious aspirations for 422 

Sin, what, and how divided (Catechism) 277 

Spiritual Reading 441 

Stations of the Cross 148 

Steps of our Saviour's Passion 163 

Steps of our Saviour's Childhood 166 

Sufferings of this life (Spiritual Reading) 458 

Temptation, Prayers in time of 19 

Trinity, Of the Holy (Catechism) 273 

Unction, Sacrament of Extreme Unction (Catechism) 292 

" Prayers before and after 429, 430 

Vespers, Of devotion at 70 

« of Sunday 71 

Viaticum, Prayers before and after 425,427 

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament 125 

" " " Blessed Virgin Mary 171 

Way of the Cross 146 

Word of God, On hearing the 67 

Work, Prayer before 19 

Young Catholic men, Advice to 389 

u u women, Advice to 395 



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